WHY? COUNTY HEALTH RANKINGS
Despite Fort HealthCare’s considerable efforts to favorably impact the health status of our patients and their families, serious health, social, economic and environmental issues remain. Obesity, diabetes, tobacco and alcohol abuse and other serious health problems are prevalent in our communities. Fort HealthCare leadership has recognized the need to take a more future-oriented approach to managing the health of our local population and a more pro-active stance on improving the economic and social welfare of the region.
According to the Health of Wisconsin 2012 Survey, residents of Jefferson and Walworth Counties can clearly be healthier. Our current health status, as shown on the website www.CountyHealthRankings.org, isn’t so good. Of the 72 counties in Wisconsin, Jefferson County ranks 33rd for Overall Health Outcomes, 39th for Morbidity (overall health, physical health, mental health and babies born with a low birth weight) and 44th for Health Behaviors (how often residents smoke, drink, are physically inactive, have babies while teenagers and die in motor vehicle accidents). Walworth County fares worse in two indicators — 38th for Overall Health Outcomes and 57th for Morbidity. Only Health Behaviors has a more favorable rank of 22nd.
Rather than focusing on one individual at a time, we hope to motivate all individuals to see how their health affects the overall population. If we take individual responsibility for our own health, and encourage others to be healthy, too, we’ll all benefit. That way, we’ll improve the rankings in all categories. Help us move the needle. Join in — Let’s Do This!