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Vermont Tops Climate-Risk Ranking; Southern States Struggle

10/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Commonwealth Fund ranks U.S. states by climate-risk vulnerability to health care, naming Vermont top and West Virginia bottom.
Regions diverge: Northeastern and Pacific Northwest states score well, while Southern and Southwestern states score poorly.
In 2024, 27 weather disasters caused over $1 billion in damages and 568 deaths, underscoring the push for clean-energy and resilience policies to protect health infrastructure.

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Story summary

Commonwealth Fund ranks U.S. states by climate-risk vulnerability to health care, naming Vermont top and West Virginia bottom.
Regions diverge: Northeastern and Pacific Northwest states score well, while Southern and Southwestern states score poorly.
In 2024, 27 weather disasters caused over $1 billion in damages and 568 deaths, underscoring the push for clean-energy and resilience policies to protect health infrastructure.