 Virginia has a mixed health record , and is ranked as the 26th overall healthiest state according to the 2013 United Health Foundation 's Health Rankings . Virginia also ranks 21st among the states in the rate of premature deaths , 6 @,@ 816 per 100 @,@ 000 . In 2008 , Virginia reached its lowest ever rate of infant mortality , at 6 @.@ 7 deaths per 1 @,@ 000 . There are however racial and social health disparities , in 2010 African Americans experienced 28 % more premature deaths than whites , while 13 % of Virginians lack any health insurance . According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's 2009 survey , 26 % of Virginians are obese and another 35 % are overweight . 78 % of residents claim to have exercised at least once in the past three months . About 30 % of Virginia 's 10- to 17 @-@ year @-@ olds are overweight or obese . Virginia banned smoking in bars and restaurants in January 2010 . 19 % of Virginians smoke tobacco . Residents of Virginia 's 8th congressional district share the longest average life expectancy rate in the nation , over 83 years . 
