Behaviors

Being physically active and reducing sedentary behavior improves health

at all ages.⁶⁶ Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes a week) is associated with reduced risk

of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, dementia, anxiety and depression.⁶⁶

Changes over time. Nationally, the percentage of adults who reported doing no physical activity or exercise other than their regular job in the past 30 days decreased 10% from 24.2% to 21.8% between 2023 and 2024. 

Between 2023 and 2024, the percentage of adults reporting physical inactivity decreased:

During this time frame, the prevalence of physical inactivity decreased in 19 states, led by: 23% in Minnesota (22.8% to 17.5%), 21% in Vermont (20.3% to 16.0%) and 20% in Wyoming (26.2% to 21.0%). 

Differences. The prevalence of physical inactivity varied significantly by income, disability status, educational attainment, geography, race/ethnicity, age, gender, metropolitan status and sexual orientation in 2024. The prevalence was:

Electronic cigarettes, also called e-cigarettes

or vape pens, are electronic devices that use heat to make an aerosol that is inhaled by the user.⁶⁷ The aerosol made by e-cigarettes contains toxic substances

that can cause cancer and serious lung disease.⁶⁷ Use of e-cigarettes is associated with increased odds of developing respiratory symptoms or wheezing

and respiratory disease

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Changes over time. Nationally, the percentage of adults who reported using e-cigarettes or other electronic vaping products at least once in their lifetime and now use daily or some days increased 4% from 7.7% to 8.0% between 2023 and 2024. E-cigarette use significantly increased 41% in Wyoming (7.6% to 10.7%) and 26% in Wisconsin (6.6% to 8.3%).

Differences. E-cigarette use varied significantly by age, disability status, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, geography, income, gender and metropolitan status in 2024. The prevalence was:

Smoking is the leading cause

of preventable death in the U.S., accounting for more than 480,000 deaths every year.⁷⁰ Smoking damages nearly every organ

and can cause heart disease, stroke, diabetes, multiple types of cancer and respiratory conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.⁷⁰

Changes over time. Nationally, the percentage of adults who reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke daily or some days decreased 4% from 12.1% to 11.6% between 2023 and 2024, continuing a longer-term decrease of 45% from 21.2% in 2011. Despite progress, the prevalence remains higher than the Healthy People 2030 target to reduce current cigarette smoking to 6.1% of adults

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Between 2023 and 2024, cigarette smoking decreased:

During this time frame, cigarette smoking decreased 16% in Minnesota (12.2% to 10.2%) and 12% in Washington (9.0% to 7.9%).

Differences. Cigarette smoking varied significantly by income, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, geography, disability status, age, metropolitan status, gender, sexual orientation and veteran status in 2024. The prevalence was: