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On Monday, the Kansas Health Institute released its first comprehensive study of the health of residents across the state.
The study used several factors to provide an overall ranking of all 105 counties. The results listed McPherson County as the ninth best county for overall health, putting the county in the top quartile of the state.
The county rankings were based on six variables and 31 indicators that measured everything from the prevalence of binge drinking to the number of flu vaccinations and visits to the dentist.
The study also looked at the health behaviors of residents including use of tobacco, diet and exercise, alcohol use, seat belt use and high-risk behaviors.
Education levels, income and social support was also analyzed as was the county’s air quality, water quality and built environment.
“Many people do not realize that the factors that most powerfully influence our health have little to do with health care provided in doctors’ offices and hospitals,” wrote Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, author of the report. “Health is not just about the absence of disease,” Pezzino said in a later interview. “There also are socioeconomic influences but we rarely have them in a framework for reference such as this.”
Of the six different variables taken into account for the study, the county’s health care system received the best ranking.
The study also indicated overall low smoking rates and a strong health care system including access to care and the quality of both preventative and outpatient care.
“McPherson County’s high ranking in this report could be due to several factors,” Dr. Sam Claassen of the Internal Medicine Clinic at Memorial Hospital said. “We are blessed here in McPherson County to have conscientious leadership, strong educational systems and institutions, a solid business and industrial base, a generally well insured populace, and significant social capital - serving and helping one another in our communities as needs arise. From a service standpoint, a variety of entities help to address health needs in our county – including the Health Department and other government agencies, hospitals and healthcare facilities, mental health providers, and many other organizations. At Memorial Hospital, we hope to continue to play a part in further improving health outcomes here through added services, enhanced linkages with other health systems, and expanded local facilities.”
McPherson County Health Department director Fern Hess said the county’s ninth-place ranking did not surprise her. But Hess added, residents must remember that a satisfactory ranking does not mean the county is free of health-related issues and challenges.
On Monday, the Kansas Health Institute released its first comprehensive study of the health of residents across the state.
The study used several factors to provide an overall ranking of all 105 counties. The results listed McPherson County as the ninth best county for overall health, putting the county in the top quartile of the state.
The county rankings were based on six variables and 31 indicators that measured everything from the prevalence of binge drinking to the number of flu vaccinations and visits to the dentist.
The study also looked at the health behaviors of residents including use of tobacco, diet and exercise, alcohol use, seat belt use and high-risk behaviors.
Education levels, income and social support was also analyzed as was the county’s air quality, water quality and built environment.
“Many people do not realize that the factors that most powerfully influence our health have little to do with health care provided in doctors’ offices and hospitals,” wrote Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino, author of the report. “Health is not just about the absence of disease,” Pezzino said in a later interview. “There also are socioeconomic influences but we rarely have them in a framework for reference such as this.”
Of the six different variables taken into account for the study, the county’s health care system received the best ranking.
The study also indicated overall low smoking rates and a strong health care system including access to care and the quality of both preventative and outpatient care.
“McPherson County’s high ranking in this report could be due to several factors,” Dr. Sam Claassen of the Internal Medicine Clinic at Memorial Hospital said. “We are blessed here in McPherson County to have conscientious leadership, strong educational systems and institutions, a solid business and industrial base, a generally well insured populace, and significant social capital - serving and helping one another in our communities as needs arise. From a service standpoint, a variety of entities help to address health needs in our county – including the Health Department and other government agencies, hospitals and healthcare facilities, mental health providers, and many other organizations. At Memorial Hospital, we hope to continue to play a part in further improving health outcomes here through added services, enhanced linkages with other health systems, and expanded local facilities.”
McPherson County Health Department director Fern Hess said the county’s ninth-place ranking did not surprise her. But Hess added, residents must remember that a satisfactory ranking does not mean the county is free of health-related issues and challenges.
The county has several health behavior issues that could realize improvement Hess said including the use of seat belts, obesity and regular dental exams. Issues like regular dental check-ups, while appear minor, can have overall health effects and are an important part of overall good health.
Pezzino said the goal of the study was to spark debates at the local and county-levels on how various aspects of residents’ health and health care services can be improved upon. Hess said the report is helpful in helping residents and health officials alike see where the area of health that the county could improve upon.
A summary of the study noted that location and population of the county had little impact on resident’s overall health. Nine of the top ten healthiest counties were rural counties with Johnson County being the only urban region to make the institute’s top 10, illustrating that more physicians and hospitals does not equal better residential health.
“I wouldn’t make too much of those differences by area,” Pezzino said. “People can be healthy just about any place in Kansas. Communities can be healthy just about any place in Kansas. It would be foolish for every place to try to imitate the healthiest county. See what is specific in your county and see what opportunities you have for improvement.”
The county’s ranking did not surprise Hess who said the county has a well-rounded health system and being ranked in the top 10 in the state is something to be pleased about.
