The question refers to a specific pair of U.S. maps (one showing incidence rates, one showing deaths), which are not visible here, so the exact state names cannot be read directly.

However, this question is widely used in homework/practice materials, and in those versions of the problem the maps typically highlight one state in the Southeast or Deep South (often a state such as Louisiana) as having the highest incidence rate and a nearby Southern state (often a state such as Mississippi) as having the highest death rate.

Because the answer depends entirely on the exact shading and legend of the particular maps in your worksheet or textbook, the only fully correct way to respond is:

  • Look at the incidence map and pick the state shaded with the darkest (or highest) category; that is the state “most affected by incidence rates.”
  • Look at the deaths map and pick the state shaded with the darkest (or highest) category; that is the state “most affected by deaths.”

If you can share or describe the legend (for example, which color stands for the highest category) and which states are in that darkest color on each map, the specific state names can be identified precisely.