How healthy is your county in New Jersey?
Is South Jersey more healthy than North Jersey, or is it the other way around?
A study released Tuesday by the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps program examines the health rankings of counties nationwide.
More than 3,000 counties and the District of Columbia are included in the study, published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The rankings allow users to compare how healthy their residents are and how long they live on average with the 2012 rankings.
“The County Health Rankings show us that much of what influences our health happens outside of the doctor’s office,” Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A. president and CEO of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation said.
“In fact, where we live, learn, work and play has a big role in determining how healthy we are and how long we live.”
The rankings include four categories: health behavior, clinical care, social and economic factors, and phsyical environment.” This year’s rankings include several additional measures, including the number of fast food restaurants in each county and levels of physical inactivity among residents, according to study officials.
According to the rankings, Hunterdon County ranked first for health outcomes overall in New Jersey, while Cumberland County ranked 21st, overall.
Do you agree with the rankings for New Jersey counties? How active do you think the residents are in your community? Tell us in the comments below.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.