ROCKLAND RANKED SECOND HEALTHIEST COUNTY IN NYS

Annual County Health Rankings report released today

NEW CITY, NY - - Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert are proud to announce that Rockland County is ranked second in New York State for overall health in 2017 in the annual County Health Rankings, up from third place last year. Overall health of a county is measured by two types of health outcomes: how long people live (length of life) and how healthy people feel while alive (quality of life). 

"I'm proud of the hard work done by our staff, working together with our communities, to improve the quality of health of our residents," said County Executive Day. "The County Health Rankings is an important source of information our Health Department shares with local partners. We use this data to develop strategies that continue a culture of health and wellness that benefits all residents. I extend my congratulations on another year of extremely positive outcomes!"

Rockland ranked sixth in New York State this year for health factors, up from eighth last year. Health factors in the County Health Rankings represent what influences the health of a county. Four types of health factors are measured: health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment. The report looks at more than 30 factors that affect health such as education, employment, housing, tobacco use, and access to health care, and compares counties in each state.

"Rockland County has ranked one of the top five counties in New York State for overall health since 2011, a tribute to all the wonderful work done by our Health Department staff, as well as to our successful partnerships with community and faith organizations, health care providers, schools, worksites, and municipalities. We still have much work to do, however this report shows that we are taking important steps towards achieving our goal of keeping all Rockland County residents healthy and safe," said Dr. Ruppert.

The rankings are issued by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The full report can be viewed online at www.countyhealthrankings.org/.