Unless there are changes in Ohio, the state is going to get worse in the next 20 years. Economically, Ohio is booming, but excessive cases of poor health and pollution contribute to giving Ohio a bad name.

A statewide poll conducted by Zogby International showed that more than half of the respondents believe the state is one of the top 10 places to live in the United States.

Nonetheless, according to the Akron Beacon Journal, serious problems plague the Buckeye State. For example, Ohioans are heavier, smoke more, exercise less, die younger, earn less and are less educated than the typical American. Likewise, Ohio is among the states with the most cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other life-threatening or debilitating ailments. On a similar note, the air is the most polluted in the nation, and the waterways are tainted with chemicals. Moreover, only three other states accept more out-of-state trash.

It was just over 30 years ago, on June 22, 1969, at 11:56 a.m. when an oil slick caught fire on the Cuyahoga River just southeast of downtown Cleveland. Never before had an image so forcefully driven home the truth of our state's deteriorating waterways. The situation served as a rallying point for passage of the Clean Water Act. As a result, water quality has improved across the nation. However, recently it seems as though Ohio may be reverting to a pollution-filled state.

Specifically, before electing public officials, Ohio voters must check the candidate's records on environmental and public health issues. Otherwise, Ohio will get worse if action is not taken to address these problems and ensure a state clean enough in which to live.