Where you live determines how you live, but where you live can also determine your health. A recent study conducted by the University of Wisconsin, the Population Health Institute, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that health conditions in Nassau and Suffolk Counties ranked above most of New York’s 60 other counties.
In their official report, County Health Ratings, Mobilizing Action Towards Community Health several surveys and calculations were conducted on a state-by-state basis to determine which counties are considered most healthy under different criterion. All counties within a state were compared against each other; then ranked from best-to-worst starting at one.
According to the report, Long Island is considerably the healthiest place in New York State. Nassau has the lowest mortality rate, meaning that people in Nassau County are living the longest out of any county in the state. Suffolk County ranked 17th. Nassau County also ranks third when considering health behaviors.
Health behaviors were measured through calculating factors such as smoking, diet and exercise, alcohol use and risky sex behaviors. Suffolk County ranked ninth, with the Bronx coming in one of the highest at 39th place for health behaviors.
Social and economic factors were also considered in ranking the healthiest communities. Social and economic factors that were considered in the study were education, employment, income, family and social support, and community safety. Social and economic determinants were considered positive in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Nassau came in second, with Putnam County coming in first. Suffolk County ranked fifth with Saratoga and Tompkins counties ranking third and fourth, respectively.
Access to clinical health care per county was also ranked. Nassau was ranked seventh and Suffolk ranked 24th. The highest rankings for Long Island’s counties were found in the Physical Environment category. The environmental qualities of each county was determined, placing Nassau 32nd, and Suffolk 58th, Essex County ranked worst in 62nd.
