How likely are you to get sick in Sacramento? City ranked among ‘America’s germ capitals’

It’s cold and flu season in California, which means lots of coughing, sneezing and sore throats.

Unfortunately, Sacramento is one of the most illness-prone cities in the nation, according to health care company Soliant Health.

Soliant Health studied the 100 most populous cities in the United States to determine where people are most likely to get sick, evaluating factors such as air quality, asthma rates, seasonal pollen allergies and cold and influenza activity.

“While some cities are protected with well-established healthcare systems and cleaner environments, others face heightened risks due to a combination of environmental and lifestyle factors in the colder months. “ Soliant Health said in an Oct. 7 article titled “America’s Germ Capitals: The Cities Where You’re Mostly Like to Get Sick.”

Bakersfield topped the list with a sickness score of 59.10 out of 100.

“Bakersfield suffers from high cold and flu activity, poor air quality and significant asthma prevalence,” Soliant Health said. “Its combination of environmental and health stressors is a perfect recipe for a sniffle-filled season.”

A total of four California cities landed on the list of spots where folks are most likely to get sick. Here’s where they ranked.

Why is Sacramento one of America’s germ capitals?

Sacramento was No. 10 on Soliant Health’s list of the most illness-prone cities in the nation, with a score of 51.58 out of 100.

Factors in the capital city getting people sick include poor air quality, seasonal allergies and germs from public transportation, the study found.

Which California cities are most illness prone?

Fresno came in second place on Soliant Health’s list of America’s germ capitals with a sickness score of 57.89 out of 100.

Meanwhile, San Diego was the third most illness-prone city in the nation with a sickness score of 57.64 out of 100, Soliant Health said.

“Cities with the worst air quality, such as Bakersfield and Fresno, consistently rank higher in illness likelihood, demonstrating the impact air quality can have on respiratory and immune systems,” the study said.

Honolulu is the safest city for folks trying to avoid getting sick, according to the study.

Omaha, Nebraska, and Boise ranked second and third, respectively, on the list of most germ-free cities.

What are sickest cities in the US?

These are the 10 cities in the Unitied States where you’re most likely to get sick, according to Soliant Health:

1. Bakersfield
2. Fresno
3. San Diego
4. New York
5. Jackson, Mississippi
6. New Orleans
7. Memphis
8. Augusta, Georgia
9. Baltimore
10. Sacramento

How did health care company come up with rankings?

Soliant Health evaluated cities based on their performance in a total of five categories, awarding equally weighted values for each category. Those values were combined to determine the final rankings.

The categories were:

• Air pollution
• Illness activity
• Asthma
• Public transport germs
• Allergies

Data sources included the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Tips to stay healthy during cold and flu season

Here are some tips for how to stay healthy during the respiratory virus season from the CDC:

• Boost up your immune system
• Avoid close contact
• Get vaccinated
• Wash your hands
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid touching your face

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com .