Mineola, NY - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano is pleased to announce that Nassau County once again has solidified its place as one of the healthiest Counties in New York State, and the United States, according to the 2016 annual County Health Rankings. In a report released today by University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, out of 62 counties in New York, Nassau County ranked 1st in Health Factors, 2nd in Health Outcomes, and 2nd in Health Behaviors according to the annual County Health Rankings. Nassau County ranked as a “Top US Performer” by scoring in at least the highest 90th percentile in the United States in categories including percentage of adult smokers, adult obesity, low teen birth rate, and access to exercise opportunities, among others. This ranking is based on a comprehensive report that ranks the overall health of nearly every county in all 50 states by using standardized measures.
“Nassau County continues to rank as one the healthiest counties in New York State,” said County Executive Mangano. “This report demonstrates the combined efforts of government, businesses, health care providers, schools and community-based organizations working together to improve the health of Nassau County residents. I am proud of the professional excellence demonstrated by the Department of Health and all of our community partners for the work that they do to promote and protect the health of all who live, work and visit Nassau County.”
Nassau County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein stated, “This is a testament to the ongoing commitment of Nassau County’s wonderful hospitals, medical providers, community based organizations, government leaders, government agencies, collaborators from various sectors, and residents to work together to ensure the highest health outcomes and healthy opportunities for our residents. Although the statistics continue to show excellence, we remain aware of the impact that health disparities present, and the Nassau County Department of Health will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that all residents from all communities of Nassau have access to our great healthcare infrastructure.”
The Rankings, available at www.countyhealthrankings.org include a snapshot of each county in New York. Researchers looked at “health factors” that affect people’s health within four categories; health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment. These health factors include measurements such as, adult smoking, adult obesity and drinking water violations. County Health Rankings researchers also used five measures to assess the level of overall health or “health outcomes” for New York by county such as, rates of premature death, the percentage of people who report being in fair or poor health, the numbers of days people report being in poor physical and poor mental health, and the rate of low-birthweight infants.