Tennessee making strides in state health

Though Tennessee stands at number 39 among the 50 states ranked in the 2012 edition of "America's Health Rankings," there are a number of indicators that show the Volunteer State is moving in the right direction.

East Tennessee State University's College of Public Health says Tennessee's high school graduation rate has improved to the 24th best in the nation.

For the first time since United Health Foundation began compiling this record, the state is now above the national average.

Another positive indicator for Tennessee's future  is the ranking for health determinants such as obesity, childhood immunizations, and public health funding.

Tennessee has improved to 35th.