Residents of certain southern states may be in luck this flu season, as data shows people living there are the least likely to get sick. Researchers at Marian University in Indiana ranked 100 cities in America where people are most and least likely to come down with the common cold.
Wilmington, North Carolina topped the list with a score of 28, thanks to its low population density and balmy weather, which can help ward off germs. The city’s high humidity and healthy air quality also contribute to its ranking as the healthiest city for flu season.
Madison, Wisconsin came in second with a score of 33.7, while Honolulu, Hawaii ranked third with a warm climate that encourages residents to spend less time in close quarters. Raleigh, North Carolina and San Jose, California rounded out the top five, both scoring 37.
On the flip side, Bakersfield, California was the germiest city in the country, scoring 71.7 due to poor air quality and dry weather. Researchers cited the high percentage of adults reporting poor or fair health as primary reasons for this ranking.
The study’s findings come as respiratory illnesses, including the flu, Covid, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), plague the US. Forty-four states are experiencing high or very high respiratory activity, with influenza test positivity increasing 30 percent in the last week.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14343719/us-cities-people-likely-sick-flu-covid-study.html