Last Updated: Friday, November 21, 2008 9:54 PM CST
How healthy is Oneida County?
University of Wisconsin releases county-by-county health rankings
By Daily News Staff
According to a report on the health of counties released by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Oneida County is the 47th healthiest county in the state.
The 2008 Wisconsin County Health Rankings summarize the current health of the county using different information sources, including data on premature deaths and people’s reports about their health.
“Research has shown that the health of a community is determined by a number of factors, including health care access and quality, health behaviors, social and economic factors, and the physical environment,” stated Dr. Patrick Remington, Director of the Population Health Institute.
Oneida County has one of the highest ranks in the state for its physical environment and also ranks in the top half of all counties for its health care, scoring well for the percent of women who receive regular mammograms and for the quality of diabetic care.
Oneida ranks in the middle of Wisconsin’s counties in health behaviors but faces particular challenges in rates of smoking and off-road motor vehicle crashes that lead to emergency room visits.
Oneida County is fares worse in the social and economic factors that influence health. For example, Oneida County has high rates of high school noncompletion and unemployment.
“Our community’s health plan, Healthy People Healthy Oneida County, focuses on four ways to improve upon the health of Oneida County residents. By working together we can make our community a healthier and safer place to live,” said Linda Conlon, Director, Oneida County Health Department. Oneida County is focusing on a number of health priorities that have been identified by community members. The four health priorities identified by the coalition is to increase access to health care, improve nutrition and increase physical activity; support mental health and prevent mental disorders and reduce alcohol and tobacco use in the community.
Health Department Director Conlon said that Wisconsin as a state compares poorly with Minnesota. While Minnesota ranks second in the nation in health, Wisconsin has been falling in rank in recent years. Our state spends only about $7 per person for public health and ranks 47th in the nation in public health spending. Minnesota spends seven times that amount.
To learn more about the Oneida Community Health Plan, visit HYPERLINK "http://www.co.Oneida.wi.us" www.co.Oneida.wi.us or call the Health Department at (715) 369-6115. For more information or to view the 2008 Wisconsin County Health Rankings, visit: HYPERLINK "http://www.pophealth.wisc.edu/uwphi/research/rankings_2008/rankings_2008.htm" http://www.pophealth.wisc.edu/uwphi/research/rankings_2008/rankings_2008.htm
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