Brown County ranked 14th in health outcomes and 46th in health factors, according to the new County Health Rankings report released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The County Health Rankings is the first report to use a standard formula to measure the health of the more than 3,000 counties across the United States. The rankings are designed to compare the health of counties within each state; they do not compare counties in Minnesota with counties in other states. The report ranks 85 of the 87 counties in Minnesota against each other.
Identified health outcomes such as mortality (length of life) and morbidity (quality of life) are areas of strength for Brown County in this report. We ranked 22nd in mortality and 13th in morbidity.
Brown County is reported as having good access to health care along with quality of health care putting the rank at 14th out of 85 counties which contributes to the high rankings for mortality and morbidity.
The report ranks both health outcomes and health factors in order to highlight the wide array of issues that determine health in local communities. Health outcomes include the rate of people dying before age 75, health factors include health behavior, clinical care, social and economic factors and physical environment.
In relation to health factors Brown County ranked 82nd out of 85 in healthy behaviors. The behaviors that were measured were smoking, diet and exercise, alcohol use, and risky sex behavior.
The goal of the County Health Rankings is to spur discussion and action across all sectors of the community – including government, business, community and faith-based groups, education and public health – to improve the health of Minnesotans.
Brown County Public Health, health care providers, and other partners in Brown County have previously looked at the county data for diet, exercise, obesity and tobacco use and currently have initiated some programs to help residents improve their lifestyles in the area of diet, exercise and tobacco use. These programs are aimed at assisting in the healthy behavior ranking by working on improving diet and exercise and decreasing tobacco use.
The Heart of New Ulm project for the 56073 zip code is aimed at reducing heart attacks in that zip code. The incidence of heart disease is directly related to obesity, a sedentary lifestyle or lack of exercise and smoking. The SHIP project (Statewide Health Improvement Program) that is being implemented throughout Brown County by the Brown – Nicollet Community Health Board is also focusing on changing lifestyles one step at a time by improving nutritional intake, increasing activity, decreasing obesity and decreasing tobacco use in Brown County. The SHIP program involves schools, communities, health care, and work sites changing policies, systems, and environments to make the healthy choice the easy choice. The Springfield Childhood Wellness task force is also in place, working on school and community nutrition and physical activity. Karen Moritz, Brown County Public Health Director, states “Obesity and sedentary lifestyles are a national epidemic. Both obesity and the lack of physical activity are directly related to chronic disease especially diabetes and heart disease. Tobacco use has been linked to chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and pulmonary disease for many years. I challenge every resident of Brown County, young and old, to take their health seriously and improve Brown County’s 82nd ranking in healthy behaviors.” “ Look at your nutritional intake, schedule an annual physical and talk to your health care provider about ways to change your lifestyle to prevent obesity and improve your physical activity, get involved with the Heart of New Ulm activities, get involved in your company’s wellness program, start exercising – start by taking walks, eat more fruits and vegetables, lower your fat intake, drink more water and less pop, and get connected with programs to help you stop smoking,” These are just a few things you can do to change your lifestyle and improve your health. Your health is important. Check with your health care provider or public health if you need assistance in working on improving your healthy behaviors. Brown County Public Health can be contacted at 507-233-6809.
The detailed County Health Rankings are available for viewing at www.countyhealthrankings.org.
