Iowa jumps to 9th in a Health Ranking of States

Trays of mixed fruit, including kiwis, strawberries, and oranges, are lined up on the counter for students during lunch at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, in , Iowa. Students can choose two servings of fruits and two servings of vegetables to go with their entree. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette-KCRG)

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By Katie Stinson

Story Created: Mar 1, 2013 at 10:26 AM CDT

Story Updated: Mar 1, 2013 at 10:28 AM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has jumped to ninth in a national health ranking of states.

Officials say the state jumped seven spots last year in the yearly Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

The state ranked 16th last year, 19th in 2010 and fifth in 2009.

Gov. Terry Branstad launched the Healthiest State Initiative in 2011 in an effort to make Iowa the nation's healthiest state by 2016.

On Thursday Branstad hailed Iowa's progress and says the ranking "proves our efforts are working."

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