Study Maps US States Most Vulnerable to Flu

Machine learning analysis identifies 11 jurisdictions—including the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Hawaii—with the highest vulnerability to influenza-like illness.

By
Kathryn Wighton
March 10, 2026
3 min

Conexiant

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The District of Columbia was identified as the most vulnerable jurisdiction to influenza-like illness in a recent study.
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A vulnerability index was developed using socio-economic and health indicators to assess susceptibility to influenza-like illness across US states.
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Eleven jurisdictions, including Massachusetts and New Mexico, were classified with very high vulnerability to influenza-like illness.
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Key factors influencing vulnerability included health insurance coverage, population density, and demographic characteristics.
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The study highlights the need for targeted public health measures to address disparities in health care access and vaccination.