Washtenaw County among top 5 healthiest counties in Michigan
AnnArbor.com file photo
A study sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin ranked counties across the country by state according to factors including tobacco and alcohol use, diet and exercise, access to quality health care, education, employment, income and environmental quality.
The following are the top 10 healthiest counties in Michigan, according to the report:
- 1. Leelanau
- 2. Ottawa
- 3. Clinton
- 4. Livingston
- 5. Washtenaw
- 6. Alger
- 7. Grand Traverse
- 8. Charlevoix
- 9. Benzie
- 10. Houghton
The counties that ranked at the bottom of the list, in progressive order, are Genesee, Alcona and Wayne counties. Keweenaw County was not ranked.
“These results are testament to some of the excellent work happening in our community - thanks to our community partners and our staff,” said Richard Fleece, health officer for Washtenaw County Public Health, in a statement. “We know there are areas within our community where it’s much harder to live a healthy life. We can’t rely solely on our health care systems and providers to support our health - it takes all of us."
On individual items, Washtenaw County ranked fifth in the state for its good health outcomes and No. 1 in the state for health factors like healthy behavior and access to clinical care. The county ranked fourth in the state for its social and economic indicators.
However, Washtenaw County ranked near the bottom of Michigan's counties at number 62 when it comes to physical environment conditions that affect people's health.
Daily fine particulate matter rates are higher for the county than the rest of the state and the national benchmark. Limited access to healthy foods and the prevalence of fast food restaurants also are contributing factors, according to the report.
A Gallup survey released at the end of February ranked Ann Arbor as the healthiest city in Michigan and the eighth-healthiest city in the country.
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Comments
Dog Guy
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 4:38 p.m.
The pervasive local healthier-than-thou attitude is insufferable.
BhavanaJagat
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 4:20 p.m.
What is Health? If health depends upon access to clinical care, it indicates the absence of positive, good health.
Bob W
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 1:04 p.m.
With two huge health systems you would think we could garner better than #5 in the state.
walker101
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 12:06 p.m.
One of the highest states #2 in the country when it comes to obesity just a little over 30% of Michigan residents I wouldn't brag about being #5 in the state as being healthy.
PineyWoodsGuy
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 5:47 a.m.
The ranking only addresses Physical Health. Our county has a lot of Psycho Sick Puppies. That's why the motto of Ann Arbor is: "Ann Arbor. Keep it Weird."
BhavanaJagat
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 4:17 p.m.
Keep it really Weird: I voted on this comment to Vote Up, and I am surprised to see the result; it actually did the opposite and the score came down to '0'. We have unhealthy computers in our Washtenaw County.
An Arborigine
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 2:28 a.m.
High fives all around, so what now?
B2Pilot
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 1:31 p.m.
step outside and take a deep breath
Paul
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 1:18 a.m.
All it really means is its unfriendly to the disable and unhealthy adults. Those people either leave or move someplace else. When ever I visit Canada, I am struck on how many people I see in wheelchairs, at the fast food places like Tim Horton or just on the side of the road in their motorize wheelchairs. Here in the states we say we are handicap friendly but where are the disable people ?? We might have more handicap parking spaces then I seen in Canada yet where are the real disable people at ? Now true, if I was disable I might move south to some place warm, in Canada where I visit, that is the south, lol Maybe that does partly explain it, the sunshine states might well have more folks wheeling around.
Homeland Conspiracy
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 11:59 p.m.
Great news now pass me my Baconator & the fries
lynel
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 11:18 p.m.
Ranking 5th in the state is not that great of an honor.But maybe it is what does this sentence mean "Daily fine particulate matter rates are higher for the county than the rest of the state and the national benchmark."?
Amy Biolchini
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 11:58 p.m.
Particulate matter is particles in the air that are pollutants. There are two kinds -- inhalable course particles like those near roadways and dusty industries, and fine particles like those found in smoke and haze that come from things like forest fires, gases from power plants or cars. Learn more here: http://www.epa.gov/pm/ The amount of particulate matter in the air in Washtenaw County is higher than the average in Michigan and the national benchmark figure.
B2Pilot
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 10:43 p.m.
Washtenaw ranks near the bottom in environmental conditions- That is not good for the county
huh7891
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 10:42 p.m.
Better than last!
nonyo
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 10:26 p.m.
Top 5 in MI is nothing to brag about.