Sauk in Middle of the Pack in Wisconsin Health Rankings

Sauk in Middle of the Pack in Wisconsin Health Rankings

County Health Rankings provide nationwide snapshot of varying health

Princeton, N.J. and Madison, Wis. – Sauk County ranks in the middle of the pack for health, according to the annual County Health Rankings released today by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The Rankings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.

According to Cindy Bodendein, Director of the Health Department  “while important steps to improve the health of our community are being undertaken, there is more we can do to help our residents lead healthier lives. The Sauk County Health and Wellness Collaboration’s work on access to mental health care is one current initiative. The Health Department continues to provide the Seal-a-Smile program to school children to increase access to dental care. Another key area of focus for 2014 is to improve the rate of women receiving mammograms each year. Also this year, the Health Department plans to implement the Nurse Family Partnership program, which will address many of the factors measured. Other initiatives are underway to improve the health of Sauk County and can be found at www.co.sauk.wi.us/publichealth”

The County Health Rankings rank the overall health of nearly every county in all 50 states. The Rankings allow counties to see how well they are doing on 29 factors that influence health, including smoking, high school graduation rates, employment, physical inactivity, and access to healthy foods.

According to the 2014 Rankings, the five healthiest counties in Wisconsin, starting with the healthiest, are Ozaukee, followed by Kewaunee, Portage, Taylor, and Door. The five counties in the poorest health, starting with the least healthy, are Menominee, Milwaukee, Adams, Marquette, and Forest.

“The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s vision for a culture of health is one where everyone has the opportunity to be healthy,” said Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, RWJF president and CEO. “The County Health Rankings are a starting point for change, helping communities come together, identify priorities, and create solutions that will help all in our diverse society live healthier lives, now and for generations to come.”

The Rankings provide county-to-county comparisons within a state. Nationally, this year’s Rankings show that people living in the least healthy counties are twice as likely to have shorter lives as people living in the healthiest counties. Unhealthy counties also have twice as many children living in poverty and twice as many teen births as the healthiest counties. This year’s Rankings also feature several new measures including housing, transportation, and access to mental health providers.

Sauk County ranks near the middle for health outcomes (35) and in the top half for health factors (31). Sauk ranks in the top half of Wisconsin counties for health behaviors (25) and social and economic factors (30). Sauk County ranks in the bottom quarter for clinical care (56) and the bottom half for physical environment (53).

“The County Health Rankings show us how health is influenced by our everyday surroundings—where we live, learn, work, and play,” said Bridget Catlin, PhD, MHSA, director of the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. “The County Health Rankings often provide the spark for businesses, community planners, policymakers, public health, parents, and others to work together for better health.”

The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute is part of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.

CONTACT: Cindy Bodendein RN, MSN

Sauk County Health Department

cbodendein@co.sauk.wi.us

608-355-3290