MONROE - At least in relation to other places in Wisconsin, Green County residents are healthier in 2008 than they were in 2007.
The sixth annual University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute report, released today, determined Green County ranks 16th out of 72 counties and the city of Milwaukee in terms of health outcomes. Health outcomes are based on the number of people who die before the age of 75, as well as the number of people who report being in fair or poor health. The county was ranked 24th in 2007.
In the 2008 report, 10.5 percent of Green County residents reported they were in fair or poor health, compared to 12 percent in 2007.
Green County also rose from 24th to 20th in the rankings for health determinants, which include such things as health care, healthy behaviors, socioeconomic factors and physical environment.
Green County Health Department Director RoAnn Warden said she was encouraged by the results which show an improvement in health over last year.
Public health and helping people make healthy lifestyle choices has been the focus of the health department for many years, she said.
In 2008, 0.9 percent of county residents didn't receive needed health care, compared to 1.1 percent in 2007; 16.7 percent of residents smoked, compared to 20.6 in 2007; 41.8 percent reported physical inactivity, compared to 50.8 in 2007.
However, there were increases in the number of women who smoked during pregnancy - 17 percent in 2008 compared with 16.7 percent in 2007 - and the number of people who reported binge drinking - 20.7 percent in 2008 compared to 19.7 in 2007.
Warden said marketing and advertising play a part in the increases. She said she hopes to see a statewide smoking ban, which she expects would help reduce the number of people who begin to smoke.
The study also showed that Green County residents, 78.2 percent, don't eat enough fruits and vegetables.
Warden said that's a sign of a faster-paced lifestyle.
"It's easier to go through the drive-through than to eat healthy meals," she said. "That's something we can all work on."
The sixth annual University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute report, released today, determined Green County ranks 16th out of 72 counties and the city of Milwaukee in terms of health outcomes. Health outcomes are based on the number of people who die before the age of 75, as well as the number of people who report being in fair or poor health. The county was ranked 24th in 2007.
In the 2008 report, 10.5 percent of Green County residents reported they were in fair or poor health, compared to 12 percent in 2007.
Green County also rose from 24th to 20th in the rankings for health determinants, which include such things as health care, healthy behaviors, socioeconomic factors and physical environment.
Green County Health Department Director RoAnn Warden said she was encouraged by the results which show an improvement in health over last year.
Public health and helping people make healthy lifestyle choices has been the focus of the health department for many years, she said.
In 2008, 0.9 percent of county residents didn't receive needed health care, compared to 1.1 percent in 2007; 16.7 percent of residents smoked, compared to 20.6 in 2007; 41.8 percent reported physical inactivity, compared to 50.8 in 2007.
However, there were increases in the number of women who smoked during pregnancy - 17 percent in 2008 compared with 16.7 percent in 2007 - and the number of people who reported binge drinking - 20.7 percent in 2008 compared to 19.7 in 2007.
Warden said marketing and advertising play a part in the increases. She said she hopes to see a statewide smoking ban, which she expects would help reduce the number of people who begin to smoke.
The study also showed that Green County residents, 78.2 percent, don't eat enough fruits and vegetables.
Warden said that's a sign of a faster-paced lifestyle.
"It's easier to go through the drive-through than to eat healthy meals," she said. "That's something we can all work on."