Metro Atlanta counties among the state's healthiest

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Metro Atlanta counties among the state's healthiest
February 24, 2010
By Rhonda Cook

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

On average, people in Fayette, Oconee, Forsyth, Cobb and Gwinnett counties live longer and are healthier than those living in the rest of Georgia 159 counties.

On the flip side, the rural south Georgia counties of Randolph, Terrell, Talbot, Calhoun and Quitman were at the bottom of the rankings compiled in a nationwide study by the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The study examined the rates of death and illness along with factors that contribute to health such as access to health care, diet and exercise, smoking and drinking habits and socio-economic factors. In many cases, Georgia’s unhealthiest counties were south of Macon while there was a cluster of several counties around Richmond on South Carolina state line.

“Where we live matters to our health,” the report said. “The health of a community depends on many different factors, including quality of health care, individual behavior, education and jobs and the environment. We can improve a community’s health through programs and policies.”

The researchers wrote that counties could improve the health of their residents by providing parks for exercise and restricting indoor smoking.

“Each county’s rank reveals a pattern of strengths and weaknesses,” according to the report.

“The rankings show that people who live in healthier counties tend to have higher education levels, are more likely to be employed, have access to more health care providers and have more access to healthier foods, parks and recreational facilities.”

They also show “sharp health disparities” in counties next to each other.

For example, Paulding County ranked 25th in the rates of death and illness while neighboring Polk was ranked at 130.

“These rankings demonstrate that health happens where we live, learn, work and play. And much of what influences how healthy we are and how long we live happens outside the doctor’s office,” says Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “People, no matter where they live, should have the best possible opportunity to be healthy.”

Georgia counties with the lowest rates of morbidity and mortality

1. Fayette

2. Oconee

3. Forsyth

4. Cobb

5. Gwinnett

Georgia counties with the highest morbidity and mortality [two counties were not included]

157. Quitman

156. Calhoun

155. Talbot

154. Terrell

153. Randolph

Georgia counties with the best health factors

1. Fayette

2. Forsyth

3. Columbia

4. Oconee

5. Cherokee

Georgia counties with the worst health factors [two counties were not included]

157. Stewart

156. Telfair

155. Hancock

154. Coffee

153. Ben Hill