New county health ranking shows disparities for Big Bend region

The University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have released their annual ranking of nationwide county health outcomes.

Leon ranked 16^th of Florida’s 67 counties, with other Big Bend counties ranking:

#20: Wakulla
#36: Liberty
#41: Jefferson
#43: Franklin
#47: Taylor
#64: Gadsden
#65: Madison

Residents living in counties toward the top of the list experience better health outcomes, measured by behaviors such as smoking, exercise, alcohol and drug use. The ranking also evaluates the quality of medical care available and social factors such as education levels, income and the prevalence of violent crime.

– Lauren Bankert, On 3 Public Relations