ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) _ A new study ranks Florida in the middle of the pack when it comes to the health of its seniors.

The study released last week by the United Health Foundation ranks Florida number 27 out of the 50 states for senior health characteristics.

Vermont was ranked No. 1, and Louisiana was ranked last.

Florida did well on community spending for seniors, as well as a low rate of seniors who have fallen in the past year.

But the study says Florida needs improvement in the areas of getting seniors to volunteer and also getting seniors to be vaccinated for the flu. The study says seniors in Florida also have a high use of intensive care units.