Barry County ranks very well on overall health, according to the just released 2017 County Health Rankings. Barry County ranked 9th out of 83 Michigan counties for Health Outcomes and 13th for Health Factors, putting the county in the top 15 percent of counties, according to a Barry Eaton District Health Department news release.
Rankings are based on a model of population health that emphasizes the many factors that, if improved, can help make communities healthier places to live, learn, work, and play. The Health Outcomes are based on the sickness and death that a county is currently experiencing. The Health Factors are based on a variety of measures that influence future health outcomes.
The rankings provide information about what is working. Barry County is strong in the area of social and economic factors, ranking 7th. The report can be used to build on successes and mobilize community leaders to take action and implement programs and policy changes in areas that need improvement. //
For example, the Barry County Great Start Collaborative is working to increase social support to parents, reduce child poverty, and increase school readiness to improve educational outcomes. Visithttp://www.greatstartbarry.org/ for more information.
The rankings shed light on factors that are making residents unhealthy and what more can be done to make the county a healthier place.
The county is at a moderate risk for poor health when it comes to behaviors that affect health, such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity, where it ranked 17th out of 83 counties. This indicates that the county needs to do more to improve health behaviors and aspects of the physical environment that discourages physical activity.
Potential action steps include stepping up efforts for tobacco cessation and prevention; obesity prevention; improving access to dentists, mental health and primary care providers; and increasing the number of sidewalks so people have more opportunities for physical activity.
The rankings also highlight the importance of physical environment to health with the county ranked low for the physical environment, 71st in the state. The score includes measures of air pollution, drinking water violations, severe housing problems and motor vehicle driving commutes.
The low ranking was partly driven by municipal drinking water system violations, which were appropriately reported and addressed. The example shows why there is monitoring and oversight of municipal drinking water systems by the water provider and regulatory agencies.
The rankings provide an opportunity to learn about steps being taken to improve the health of county residents:
•The B. Healthy Coalition is working to prevent and control obesity and chronic disease through policy and environmental change and to increase awareness of healthy lifestyles. For more information, visithttp://www.behealthybarrycounty.com/.
•The Barry County Tobacco Reduction Coalition has a strategic plan to improve the health of Barry County through reducing exposure to tobacco, cigarettes, and environmental tobacco smoke. Contact Lauren Cibor at (269) 945-9516 ext. 624 for more information.
•The Barry County Substance Abuse Task Force is focused on improving health through reducing the negative effects of alcohol and substance misuse and prescription drug misuse. Visit their website atwww.barrycountysatf.com/ for more information.
Everyone in the community has a stake in being healthy. Working together, Barry County residents can make their community a healthier place to live, learn, work, and play.
Learn more about the 2017 County Health Rankings at www.countyhealthrankings.org.
