Washoe County scores high in 2016 County Health Rankings

Area scores third and fifth healthiest for health factors and health outcomes, respectively

RENO, NV – A report just released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute has ranked Washoe County fifth overall in the 2016 Nevada County Health Rankings. According to the report Washoe County placed third healthiest county in the state for health factors and fifth healthiest for health outcomes.

“Over the past few years, the Health District has engaged the community to develop a Community Health Needs Assessment and a Community Health Improvement Plan.  As we move forward with implementation of the plan and continue our work with Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities, we are well positioned to respond to the 2016 Community Health Rankings and continue to improve and build a culture of health for Washoe County,” said Washoe County District Health Officer Kevin Dick. “

The annual County Health Rankings help counties understand what influences how healthy residents are and how long they will live. The Rankings are unique in their ability to measure the current overall health of nearly every county in all 50 states. They also look at a variety of measures that affect the future health of communities, such as high school graduation rates, access to healthy foods, rates of smoking, obesity, and teen births. Communities use the Rankings to help identify issues and opportunities for local health improvement, as well as to garner support for initiatives among government agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, business leaders, policy makers, and the public.

Health Factors measure smoking, obesity, food availability, physical activity, drinking, sexually transmitted diseases, and teen births. Other factors include clinical care, social and economic factors, and the physical environment. Health Outcomes measure premature deaths, poor or fair health, poor physical and mental health days, and low birthweights.

More information about Nevada and other states can be found in the 2016 County Health Rankings, Building a Culture of Health, County by County published online by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute at http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/.