Counties ranked on health matters

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Wabash Valley counties received mixed reviews this week, as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released its annual county health rankings.

According to the report, Parke and Clay Counties ranked among the top half of Indiana counties, while Effingham County ranked among the top quarter of Illinois counties. Meanwhile, Sullivan and Vermillion Counties in Indiana ranked among the bottom ten counties in the state.

The rankings take into account factors like disease, premature death, smoking rates, obesity and other measures.

“What is the environment? Is it healthy? Is it walkable? Does it have food available easily?” said Louise Anderson, who works in health education. “All of these things contribute to health.”

Health officials say county and regional groups can use data from the county rankings to target areas of concern.

To view data on individual counties and their rankings, click here.