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These two Ohio counties are among the healthiest in the nation. See the list

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These two Ohio counties are among the healthiest in the nation. See the list

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Two Ohio counties are among the top 50 healthiest counties in the nation, according to a recent study by U.S. News & World Report.

Call it the flip side of the unhealthiest counties in the Buckeye State.

To create its 2024 Healthiest Community Rankings, U.S. News scored each county on 10 areas that drive community health, including housing, the economy and public safety.

Here’s a look at the rankings.

Roughing it: Looking to live off the grid? 3 Ohio counties are among the country’s top choices

Delaware, Union counties in Ohio among the top 50 healthiest in the nation

According to the publication, Delaware County, just north of Columbus, came in at No. 12, and Union County, just west of Delaware, was No. 50.

Delaware, which dropped two spots from No. 10 in 2022, had an overall score of 87 out of 100, according to U.S. News. The study found that 4.4% of the population lacked health insurance, below the national average of 11.5%; an obesity prevalence of 35.8%, below the national average of 37.4%; and a diabetes prevalence of 8.3%, below the national average of 10.6%.

In Union County, which climbed 15 spots from No. 65 in 2022, U.S. News gave it an overall score of 80. The study found it had a smoking rate of 15% (national average: 19%), a life expectancy of 78.9 years (75.8 years, national average), and an obesity prevalence of 35.5% (37.4%).

Medina County (south of Cuyahoga County and West of Summit County) ranked No. 70 overall with a 78 score.

Warren County in the southwest part of Ohio near Cincinnati also landed in the top 100 at No. 74, also with a score of 78.

The Top 10 healthiest counties in the United States

  1. Falls Church city, Virginia
  2. Los Alamos County, New Mexico
  3. Douglas County, Colorado
  4. Sioux County, Iowa
  5. Hamilton County, Indiana
  6. Dallas County, Iowa
  7. Ozuakee County, Wisconsin
  8. Carver County, Minnesota
  9. Bremer County, Iowa
  10. Morgan County, Utah

How the rankings were determined

The rankings show how nearly 3,000 U.S. counties and county equivalents perform across 92 metrics in 10 health and health-related categories, according to U.S. News. Those include:

  • Population health
  • Equity
  • Education
  • Economy
  • Housing
  • Food and nutrition
  • Environment
  • Public safety
  • Community vitality
  • Infrastructure

For the study, U.S. News collaborated with the University of Missouri Extension Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES). Data was collected from “well-recognized and validated sources,” including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Census Bureau, Medicare & Medicaid, and the EPA.

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