Oakland County Among Top 10 for Health Behaviors and Health Factors

Oakland County ranks second for health behaviors and eighth for health factors among Michigan’s 83 counties, according to the County Health Rankings Report released Wednesday.

In a news release, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson credited the county’s Health Division and his administration’s quality of life initiatives for the impressive scores.

“Our public health programs and quality-of-life initiatives promote active and healthy lifestyles,” Patterson said. “The Brooksie Way Half Marathon, Fuel Up To Play 60 which fights child obesity, and our employee wellness program OakFit are working together to make Oakland County a healthier place to live, work, and play.”

Oakland County has improved or maintained its position in 23 areas of measure in the County Health Rankings Report, which is produced by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. Those areas include quality of life, health behaviors, adult smoking, adult obesity, teen birth rate, unemployment and violent crime rate.

In addition, the county measures up well for overall health outcomes, maintaining its 22nd ranking overall in Michigan for the second year in a row. Oakland County ranks ahead of neighboring Wayne and Macomb counties.

“We are very pleased with our overall health ranking,” said Kathy Forzley, Oakland County Health Division manager/health officer. “It reflects the commitment of our employees to improving the health and quality of life of our residents.”

The report is the only tool of its kind that measures the overall health of the nation’s more than 3,100 counties. Eight new measures were added this year including access to exercise opportunities, alcohol-impaired driving deaths, injury deaths, severe housing problem, and commute to work. For more information about the health rankings or to review the report, go to oakgov.com/health.

Oakland County Health Division has a variety of programs and services that support healthy lifestyles by promoting and encouraging healthy behaviors; improving infant health; increasing accessibility of health services; ensuring a safe and clean environment; preparing for emergencies; and reducing the threat and preventing the spread of diseases.