Economic Development News

MARTIN COUNTY — The county makes the grade once again as one of the top five healthiest counties in Florida.

A report on County Health Rankings, released by the University of Wisconsin's Population Health Center and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, shows Martin County has maintained its top-five ranking in "health outcomes" from last year, at No. 5. The county ranked first in the state in physical environment, which looks at air pollution, access to healthy foods and recreational facilities.

Collier, Seminole, St. Johns and Sarasota counties rounded out the top five. Indian River County ranked 13, St. Lucie County came in at 32, Brevard County at 22, and Okeechobee County at 55.

The rankings, which study Florida's 67 counties and counties across the country, are meant to help public officials and local communities identify strengths and weaknesses compared to other counties within the state. The data is compiled with such facts as birth rates, Census numbers, sexually transmitted disease rates and survey data.

According to the rankings' website, the data is used to show that where we live matters to our health.

"If you look at last year and this year, we've remained consistent," said Renay Rouse, spokeswoman for the Martin County Health Department. "Residents will feel really good to know they are living in one of the healthiest places in the state and where you live really affects your health."

County Health Rankings measures health outcomes that look at premature death rate and quality of life in each county. It also measures health factors, which look at components such as clinical care, health behaviors, social and economic levels and the physical environment.

Martin County maintained its fourth-place health factor ranking.

The county dropped one spot and took second place in quality of life in Florida.

Martin County dropped from fourth to eighth place in clinical care factors as a result of 29 percent of its adult population being uninsured. The national average is at 13 percent.

The county health grades serve as an introduction to a more in-depth view of the county's health as the Martin County Health Department plans to release its own report next month. The report was compiled by the county health department, county government, The United Way and others.

The Community Health Assessment will look at what area residents feel are the health needs in the area.