The original item was published from March 14, 2018 2:25 PM to March 14, 2018 4:15 PM
NATIONAL REPORT RANKS ST. CHARLES #1
ON MISSOURI'S LIST FOR HEALTHIEST COUNTIES |
For the ninth consecutive year, a national report recognizes something that residents have known for years: St. Charles County is a great place to live, to raise a family and to start or grow a business. Theannual County Health Rankings places St. Charles County first in Missouri for the Health Outcomes and Health Factors categories.
Issued since 2010, the County Health Rankings are a joint effort by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute. Based upon public data collected from vital statistics and government health surveys, the annual rankings are designed to lay groundwork for health improvement throughout the United States. They are comprised of two main categories:
- Health Outcomes are a representation of the current health for a community, with rankings determined by how long people live and how healthy they feel (Quality of Life).
- Health Factors allude to the population’s health in the future and the factors that influence overall well-being.
Building the Path to the Top
Healthy behaviors and access to clinical care, as well as various socio-economic and environmental factors, influence a population’s health. A highly educated population (78 percent of those aged 25-44 have at least some post-secondary education and 90 percent of high-school freshmen graduates within four years), one of the state’s lowest unemployment rates (3.5 percent in 2016 and even lower in 2017 at 2.7 percent) and a community that puts a high emphasis on healthy living guided St. Charles County to Missouri’s top spot for Health Factors. A low premature death rate that is among the top 10 percent in the United States and a low percentage of those reporting to be in poor or fair health contributed to the top ranking in Health Outcomes.
To view St. Charles County statistics and compare them to national and Missouri benchmarks, please visit the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps website.
St. Charles County's Efforts
“Healthy people and a healthy economy work hand-in-hand,” said Hope Woodson, Department of Public Health Director. “Earning a high ranking for a ninth consecutive year demonstrates the commitment made by residents, businesses and community leaders to make good health for everyone a priority in St. Charles County.”
The services provided through the Department of Public Health have a direct impact on the well-being of the community. To extend the recognized strengths and proactively improve upon potential threats, department staff actively networks with medical professionals, community leaders and residents to assess needs, monitor health risks and reduce incidences of illness. Among the services offered by the department are:
About the Department of Public Health
With roots that trace back to 1958, the St. Charles County Department of Public Health is committed to the protection and enhancement of health and the quality of life for all members of our community. Through three divisions — Environmental Health and Protection, Health Services and Humane — the department provides a wide range of programs and services that profoundly impact the lives of residents and visitors. To stay informed on the progress of the department, please follow us on Facebook and Twitter and by subscribing to receive our monthly Health eNews. For additional information about the department, please call 636-949-7400.
About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin's Population Health Institute
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measurable, and timely change.
The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute is the focal point within the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health for translating public health and health policy research into practice.
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