A new health report is giving Placer County high marks.
The U.S. News and World Report ranks Placer County 35 nationally, and first in California, for its overall health and fitness. Using 10 categories, the report used a broad framework to evaluate the wellness and health of nearly every county in the United States.
As identified by the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics, the categories for the survey include overall population health, equity, education, housing, food and safety, public safety, among other categories.
Take a look at how the county fared in some of the major categories:
The county’s access to health care showed that less than 5% of residents are without health insurance. The number of people who smoke is under the national median. At 82.2 years, life expectancy in Placer County beats out the national average by five years.
When it comes to education, about 95% of residents earned a high school diploma and nearly half completed secondary degrees. In addition, communities in Placer County are more diverse within school settings when compared to other U.S. counties.
The survey and survey participants identify employment, work opportunities and wealth as key metrics for overall community fitness. They are also where areas in which Placer County shines. Residents earn about $40,000 more than the national median income. Unemployment and poverty rates in Placer County are well below the national media too.
The survey also scrutinized availability of healthy foods and rates of diabetes and obesity, which are linked to poor eating. With more local food options than the national average, Placer County’s disease prevalence is low. One of the areas of needed improvement: larger grocery stores. About a third of residents are not close enough to these stores, which reduces their access to a variety of grocery outlets.
Using a 100-point scale, Placer County earned 84 on overall health and economy. For full results and national rankings, go here.