Virginia made a big jump in national rankings of the healthiest states in the country in 2019, according to an annual report.

Virginia rose five spots from its previous position, coming in as the 15th healthiest state, according United Health Foundation’s yearly America’s Health Rankings report. Maryland is the 18th healthiest state in the country; the state rose one spot from its previous position.

The report details state and national data regarding key public health indicators like smoking, access to primary care physicians and uninsured rates. Virginia’s ranking jumped in part due to reductions in violent crime in the state, fewer people smoking and fewer people with low rates of physical activity, compared to 2019.

Maryland had fallen to No. 19 in the 2018 report, largely due to increases in violent crime and drug deaths. In 2017, the state ranked at No. 16., after ranking at No. 18 in both 2015 and 2016. Its 2019 ranking could be chalked up to markedly low rates of mental health…