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Scientific American just dropped its “Better, Smarter Cities” issue, which is chock full of Top 10 lists. Miami makes a few appearances but tops only one: “Highest Sickness Risk.” Though, we also make appearances on lists for best Internet access, walk-ability, and most fast-food restaurants.
To determine the sickness rating, SA used Medicare’s “Hierarchical Condition Categories,” which “indicates how much money Medicare spends there.” Miami came in at the top, beating out McAllen, Texas; and Manhattan, New York.
We also come in fourth among cities with the most fast-food restaurants. That’s probably not helping our health.
We were also rated the eighth most walkable city, but they took that information directly from “Walk Score.” That measure doesn’t take factors such as pedestrian safety and weather into account.
The magazine also included a Forbes list that ranked us the sixth best city for Internet access.
Despite its name, Scientific American notes, “Not all of the above lists were created using conventional statistical or scientific methods, therefore their validity should be suspect.”
So most of these lists are taken from other sources, and they aren’t even scientific? Laziest science magazine ever.
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