March 19, 2019
Contact: Doug Bolnick, Public Information Officer, 636-949-7408
St. Charles County, Missouri - For the 10th consecutive year, St. Charles County ranks at the top of Missouri’s “Healthiest Counties” list. The annual County Health Rankings report, released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute, places St. Charles County first in the state for the “Health Outcomes” and “Health Factors” categories.
“St. Charles County’s citizens clearly place an emphasis on being healthy,” says Hope Woodson, Director for the Department of Public Health Director. “Building upon their actions and an engaged network of partner agencies, our department proactively seeks ways to improve the quality of life for everyone who lives or works here. These high marks through the County Health Rankings and other lists are continued motivation to do even more to improve the well-being of our community.”
The County Health Rankings are based upon public data collected from vital statistics and government surveys. Health Outcomes considers the length of life and health status of residents to define the current health status. The Health Factors category encompasses healthy behaviors, available clinical care, education and income levels and the physical environment to predict future health for the community. The rankings placed St. Charles County among both Missouri and the nation’s top performers in most of the evaluated sections. The complete nationwide and Missouri-specific rankings may be viewed at countyhealthrankings.org.
The Department of Public Health and other community groups have been proactive in handling issues that contribute to poor health. The rankings noted that, although it may be below the state average of 22 percent, 17 percent of adult survey respondents within the county smoke. St. Charles County’s Smoke-Free Air Act of 2018 enacted by voters last fall and the health department’s educational programming for children are designed to decrease these figures in the future. In addition, the Division of Health Services’ opened its Health Services clinic last year to improve screening for communicable and chronic diseases and to provide recommendations for treatment options.
To ensure the county continues to maintain its healthy status, the Department of Public Health is leading a community-wide effort called Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP). The project includes assessment of the community’s current health status and availability of resources to identify priorities and develop strategies to meet residents’ needs. The strategic plan created through the process will be introduced later this year. For more information on the St. Charles County MAPP project or to participate in a survey about community health needs, please visit sccmo.org/MAPP or call 636-949-7400.
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About the St. Charles County Department of Public Health
Through the efforts of its three divisions — Environmental Health and Protection, Health Services and Humane Services — the St. Charles County Department of Public Health provides a wide range of services that enhance the well-being of the community. To learn how the department assists this region or to find out about volunteer opportunities with any of the divisions, visit sccmo.org/PublicHealth or call 636-949-7400.
About St. Charles County
Founded in 1812, St. Charles County is one of the fastest growing counties in Missouri, and the state’s third largest county in both population and economic share. It is home to 15 scenic county parks, encompassing more than 3,643 acres with additional land under development and more in reserve for future development.
With a population of 395,504, St. Charles County is home to large employers including General Motors, Citi, MasterCard Worldwide and Boeing. It is ranked among the top 25 counties in the nation in high-tech job growth by the Progressive Policy Institute and consistently has the lowest unemployment rate in the Metropolitan St. Louis area.
St. Charles County employs more than 1,100 in more than 30 departments and offices, who work to make the county an excellent place to live, work and shop. For more information, please visit sccmo.org.
About the County Health Rankings
Issued since 2010, the County Health Rankings are a joint effort by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute that is designed to lay groundwork for health improvement efforts by government officials, organizations and citizens throughout the United States. For information on the project, please visit countyhealthrankings.org.