A joint study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute finds Monroe County 7th in overall health in the state of Florida.
The 2016 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program has found Monroe County to be the 7th “healthiest” county out of 67 in the state of Florida. The County Health Rankings, a project undertaken by leading national research organizations, believe all communities in America can get healthy, stay healthy, and make sure children grow up healthy. The project works to build awareness about factors that influence health, provide local data for communities across the country, and empower leaders to improve health and wellbeing in their communities.
The data released by the 2016 County Health Rankings describe factors that influence good health in the Keys. Among other highlights, Monroe County enjoys low rates of both social and behavioral areas for concern, including low unemployment and adult obesity. The county also scored well in factors related to the physical environment, including low air pollution rates and drinking water violations.
Although we rated well in some areas, others have room for improvement. Monroe County has a high rate of premature death, or potential years of life lost before the age of 75. A person who passes away at the age of 25 contributes 50 years of “life lost” in the community. Monroe County lost 7,100 years of potential life in 2016, compared to the state average of only 6,800. Additionally, 27% of residents of Monroe County are uninsured, slightly higher than the state average of 24%, and only 61% of Monroe County women enrolled in Medicare participate in mammography screenings as compared to the state average of 68%.
There are many ways to help improve the health of our residents. Outreach, communication, and increased clinical care access are some. By working together and utilizing our resources, we can make Monroe County a healthier place to live. For more information about the County Health Rankings, visit www.countyhealthrankings.org.
