NATCHEZ — It’s no secret that Mississippi and Louisiana aren’t the healthiest states in the nation.

But a study released Wednesday by the United Health Foundation confirmed their abysmal health habits.

The report evaluates the health of the nation’s fastest growing demographic — adults older than 65. Approximately 40.3 million adults are in this category. That number is expected to swell to 88.5 million by 2050, the study concluded.

The United Health Foundation’s report compiled data from more than 12 government agencies and research organizations, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Foundation to End Human Hunger.

The report broke down data by state, with Mississippi ranked last overall and Louisiana ranked 48.

“I don’t think these results should be surprising,” Penny Walker, Senior Medical Director for the South East Region of the United Health Foundation, said. “Louisiana and Mississippi have historically had poor health.”

Natchez Senior Citizens Center Executive Director Sabrena Bartley agreed, and said history is important consideration in the report.

“Health care was not available in senior citizens’ younger life,” Bartley said. “For many, especially those in poverty, routine doctor visits weren’t a part of the routine until they could qualify for Medicare or Medicaid.”

Louisiana ranks last in several specific categories. Those categories include: dental visits, mental cognition and deaths per 100,000 people.

But the news isn’t all bad for Mississippi. The state’s elderly had the fourth lowest rate of chronic drinking.

Bartley attributed the low drinking rate to Mississippi’s heavy religious influences.

Mississippi also has an impressive flu vaccine ranking — the tenth best in the nation.

Louisiana’s problems are nearly identical to Mississippi in the report. Though, Louisiana isn’t last in any category.

Louisiana’s worst rankings in individual categories include smoking, physical inactivity, poverty and volunteerism.

Louisiana and Mississippi both rank poorly in chronic diseases, Walker said.

“Eighty percent of people have one disease and 50 percent have two chronic diseases,” she said.

Laurie Pere, vice president of physician relations and education at Promise Hospital, said the high rate of chronic diseases isn’t surprising.

“Seniors typically don’t have a singular health problem,” Pere said. “Staying active and eating right can help with a lot of health problems, even if it is just walking to the mailbox.”