Los Alamos County, N.M., is the healthiest U. S. community of 2020, according to U.S. News & World Report rankings. This is based on a study of about 3,000 communities involving 84 different health-related criteria in 10 categories.
Los Alamos County scored points for clean air and water, lots of space, and plenty of great hiking and bike trails for outdoor exercise. And the report data also indicated that exercise may be a good way to prevent diabetes. In those communities where more than a quarter of residents said they did not engage in leisure time physical activity, diabetes was 38 percent more prevalent.
Diabetes is a major cause of eyesight loss, heart attacks and stroke. Exercise can prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels and boosting the body’s sensitivity to insulin.
In addition, related conditions — such as obesity and cardiovascular disease — place people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
