Latest news with #PopulationHealthInstitute
Axios
01-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
Where Marion County ranks among Indiana's healthiest counties
Marion County lags behind much of the state — and the nation — when it comes to the health outcomes of its residents, a new report suggests. Why it matters: The analysis finds that Marion County residents have an overall shorter life expectancy than the average Hoosier, and are grappling with a number of difficult economic and environmental issues. The big picture: Community conditions, including everything from affordable housing to accessible broadband, vary greatly across the U.S., creating wide disparities in health and lifespans. Driving the news: The closer look at the health of Marion County is courtesy of the 2025 County Health Rankings compiled by the University of Wisconsin's Population Health Institute. The annual study not only measures physical and mental health factors but also indicators like housing, unemployment, education and environmental issues — all of which can be improved for longer, healthier lives. "The conditions necessary for healthy, thriving communities don't happen by chance," said Sheri Johnson, a principal investigator for the project. Zoom in: The 2025 report determined that Marion County " is faring worse" than the average Indiana and U.S. county for population health and well-being. The county was found to have higher rates of premature deaths (years of potential life lost before age 75); housing problems like overcrowding, high costs and lacking kitchen facilities; and a high child care cost burden. Yes, but: Some of the county's noted strengths were access to broadband, access to exercise opportunities and a positive ratio of mental health providers. The other side: All of Marion's surrounding counties are faring better, including Hamilton County, which stands out as one of the nation's healthiest. Some of HamCo's biggest pros were high levels of education, low unemployment and a strong food environment index, which includes access to healthy foods and low food insecurity. Air pollution was the only area noted in the report as needing improvement. What they're saying: "As we work toward a world where everyone has what they need to thrive, we must continue to uncover and challenge the power and rules that shape health and well-being," the report's authors wrote.
Axios
24-03-2025
- Health
- Axios
Which Colorado counties are the healthiest
Denver County has room to improve when it comes to the health outcomes of its residents, a new report suggests. Why it matters: Denver lags in key quality-of-life metrics like housing affordability, air quality, income inequality and child care cost burden — all essential drivers of long-term health. That's according to the 2025 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, an annual analysis by the University of Wisconsin's Population Health Institute. How it works: The study weighs more than just physical and mental health. It looks at education, employment, housing, environmental factors and more — what researchers call "social determinants of health." Zoom in: Denver County scored slightly better than the average Colorado county — and better than the U.S. average — in several categories, including: Access to exercise opportunities Broadband availability High school graduation rates Number of mental and physical health providers The big picture: Despite their resources, Colorado's biggest counties, including Denver and El Paso, aren't the healthiest in the state.
Axios
24-03-2025
- Health
- Axios
How Cuyahoga County rates in health outcomes
Cuyahoga County has room to improve when it comes to the health outcomes of its residents, a new report suggests. Why it matters: Among Cuyahoga's more eye-popping shortcomings are an overall shorter life expectancy, as well as economic factors like severe housing and high income inequality compared to the rest of the country and state. That's according to County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a program of the University of Wisconsin's Population Health Institute. The fine print: The annual study not only measures physical and mental health factors but also indicators like housing, unemployment, education and environmental issues — all of which can be improved for longer, healthier lives. Zoom in: Overall, the 2025 report determined that Cuyahoga County "is faring about the same" as the average Ohio and U.S. county for health and well-being, as well as community conditions. However, Cuyahoga has higher rates of premature deaths (years of potential life lost before age 75), children with low birth weights, child poverty and air pollution. The other side: The county did rate above average in exercise opportunities, the number of physical and mental health providers, and the percentage of residents completing high school and some college. The big picture: Cuyahoga ranks middle of the pack in Northeast Ohio. The county is deemed less healthy than neighboring counties such as Medina, Lake, Geauga and Portage, while on par with Lorain and Summit. Cuyahoga is considered a healthier county than Trumbull, Ashtabula and Mahoning. What they're saying: Places with strong civic infrastructure, such as broadband internet access and public libraries, are often healthier, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps said in a recent news release.
