(CNN) – With a wide range of mountain ranges, diverse wildlife and clean air, Los Alamos County, New Mexico, has been named the 2020 healthiest community.
Sunset over Los Alamos County during the fall of 2018.
Leslie Bucklin
Los Alamos County also ranked best for low ethnic segregation (No. 3) and low rockable hospital admissions (No. 21).
Los Alamos County Council Chair Sara Sara Scott, who was not involved in the report, said: “A healthy environment is definitely part of what contributes to a certain community (Los Alamos County). “People have the opportunity to take advantage of our mountains, trails, biking, horseback riding (and) golfing and are interested in getting out.”
Two hikers stand in a mountain valley in Los Alamos County, New Mexico.
Leslie Bucklin
Dr. Col Glass County, Colorado, is runner-up, followed by Falls Church, Virginia, Broomfield County, Colorado, and Colorado Route County.
Columbia County, New York, ranked last in the top 500 healthiest communities.
“The Healthiest Communities ranking is a snapshot of how healthy a community is over time,” said Didre PK Phillips, senior data editor at US News World Report. “This year, the coronavirus factor was crucial in that analysis.”
Although the information used to determine the rankings was obtained prior to the epidemic, the new tools used in this year’s report provided the Covid-19 data on communities and highlighted the disproportionate impact of the virus on black and Hispanic communities.
The Healthy Communities Ranking and Analysis is based on the assessment of nearly 3,000 communities across the country for community vitality, equity, economy, education, environment, food and nutrition, population health, housing, infrastructure and health and health related criteria in 10 categories. Public safety.
By evaluating what communities provide opportunities for their citizens to live healthier, productive lives, the project serves to educate residents and government officials about best policies and practices for positive health outcomes.
The project is the result of a partnership with the AJNA Foundation, the Health Indirect Institute, and the Research Institute for Community Health, University of Missouri Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems. Rankings The Independent Global Health Research Center at Seattle and Washington Washington University, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Based on criteria obtained from sources, including centers and health metrics and assessment bodies.
Gives the community a hygienic, epidemic response
Healthy, community giving is part of what makes Los Alamos County so healthy, Scott said. “We’ve definitely seen that in terms of being able to pull people together in a philanthropic effort,” he added. “In the case of an epidemic, we’ve seen utility support (and) people donate to help people who bend together, making masks for workers or community members who don’t have them.”
The trail and physical activity in the mountains of Los Alamos County is a resident’s favorite.
Wint Miller
That communal attitude contributed to the county’s four-pronged epidemic response: county operations, engagement and coordination, identification of new needs and communication, Scott said. In Los Alamos County, the rate of 124 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents was one of the 100 lowest in the country, the report found.
“We’re all on the same page,” Scott said, “about what our concerns are, what our resources are (and) what our needs are,” like “childcare and mortgage payments.” Communication with state officials and citizens was also required, where people could test, find support for their business, or get public health order updates.
“The community is supporting taking these steps seriously,” Scott said. “People understand why measures are important, how they affect our safety and our ability to open businesses and schools.”
The Covid-19 case rate of these communities was most strongly associated with the community lifestyle category, particularly with regard to census response scores. M community coffelips said what drives community vitality, diseases and epidemics is whether people are informed.
In Los Alamos County, Scott said, the census answers “really help identify where our needs are and what the priority is to keep this a wonderful place to live and work and create an attractive space.”
Epidemic variations in race
The Covid-19 case rate in the 500 healthiest communities was 40% lower than in other U.S. countries as of Aug. 24, the report said.
Counties with an above-average population of black residents (at least 13%) and Hispanic residents (18% or more) had an average Covid-19 case and mortality rate that was at least 1.2 times the national average. Counts that were more than 50% black had an average case and mortality rate that was twice the national average.
The majority-American Indian counties had a case rate that was even higher than the national average.
“Communities of color have long been undersiver, under-resourced, and under fire,” said Susan L., associate executive director of public affairs and advocacy for the American Public Health Association. Said Paula, who was not involved in the study.
“Systematic racism in community institutions such as health care, education, policing, and others has led to the inequalities we see in COVID-19 and many other preventable deaths,” Paula added via email.
Top communities for low disease rates
Diabetes rates are 38% higher in communities where more than a quarter of residents said they do not participate in leisure-time physical activity, the report said.
The top community for low obesity was Tetan County, Wyoming, while Pitkin County, Cotora Rado, was the best community for low diabetes.
Honolulu County, Hawaii ranks first in the mental health category, which assesses suicides, deaths from alcohol or drugs, rates of depression among Medicare beneficiaries, and poor mental health days each month, McPhillips said.
“Community measures of physical health and well-being can also affect mental health because it can limit or support the way individuals are able to go through their lifetimes and interact with their community,” Paula said.
“Factors associated with life expectancy are smoking rates, self-health assessments, adolescent birth rates, poor mental health days and poverty rates.”
When choosing where to live, people should assess that the residence is a coherent community with “healthy food, safe places to play and walk, good schools, diverse residents and leadership, affordable housing, public transport and a full range of others.” Services, ”Paula said. He added that local governments are interested in investing in whole communities and also economically locally engaged businesses.
.
