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In my work with the Hispanic/Latino community, I see firsthand the effects of health disparities in our country. While I’ve seen great progress in recent years in addressing these disparities and in finding solutions for better health for all populations, great challenges remain.

I was thrilled last December when I heard that Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, accepted the United Health Foundation’s invitation to participate in the 25 on 25 Thought Leader Perspectives initiative, which was a significant component of the 25th anniversary of United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings®.

Earlier this month, I couldn’t help but smile at all the red and pink hearts that decorated the businesses around my home and at all the advertisements reminding me to show my love with gifts of flowers and chocolates.

We all know we aren’t alone in making New Year’s resolutions to be healthier in 2015—we see friends and family making many of the same commitments to eat better and move more. But did you know many state leaders across the country also make resolutions to improve the health of their constituents?

Q: Which state ranks as the healthiest in the nation for 2014? We know this is your first question every year, so we won’t keep you in suspense: Hawaii took the number one spot. Did you know that for the full 25 years we’ve been doing this report—since 1990—Hawaii has always ranked as one of the top six healthiest states in the nation?

As you have likely heard, this December, the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings® report will turn 25. This represents an important milestone: a quarter century of dedicated commitment to improved national health.

In less than a month, United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings® will be among the topics garnering buzz at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Exposition in New Orleans. While you may think of Mardi Gras beads and Bourbon Street when you hear of New Orleans, for the more than 12,000 public health professionals from all across the US who attend the conference, the city will be for sharing lessons in healthy behaviors.

One of the best parts of my work with the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings® team is sharing our data with others. I know the work we do to measure health helps state and community leaders design programs that truly improve the health of their constituencies.

When we release America’s Health Rankings® each December, the first question we get is usually, “Where does my state rank?” followed by, “Okay, so which was the healthiest state?” However, if you look at only the ranking numbers, and if you read only your home state’s profile, you’re missing one of the most powerful pieces of the report: the commentaries on America’s health written by some of our country’s leading experts.