Union County finds itself in the bottom half of Iowa counties in the latest County Health Rankings report, which was released Wednesday.
Produced by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, the annual report comprises health data for most of the nation’s counties and compares them with the other counties in their respective states. The goal is to raise health awareness in communities across the nation and to stimulate community action.
The report grades counties in two categories. The first category is health factors, which includes data on health behaviors, clinical care, environment and socioeconomic factors. Union County ranks No. 54 out of 99 in this category.
The second category is health outcomes, which takes into account length of life and quality of life. Union County is No. 76 in this category. Although this is higher than last year’s No. 85 ranking, it puts it in the bottom quarter of Iowa counties for the fourth consecutive year.
Union County’s No. 76 ranking in health outcomes is in part due to a higher-than-average number of premature deaths. Union County’s number is 7,747 years of potential life lost per 100,000 people, which scores nearly 2,000 higher than the state average. The county’s child mortality rate — which involves the number of deaths under the age of 18 — is the second-highest recorded value in the state and more than double the state average.
According to the report, one of the most notable health factor concerns is Union County’s obesity rate: 35 percent. This is 5 percent higher than the Iowa average.
The report defines obesity as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Of all Iowa counties, only eight have an obesity rate of 35 percent or higher. The county’s number has gradually been on the rise since 2010.
Patti Walter, cardiac rehabilitation nurse at Greater Regional Medical Center, said Union County’s high ranking is not necessarily a surprise.
“I think it’s definitely a problem,” she said. “I get a lot of people that are over that 30 BMI.”
Walter said obesity is affected by both poor diet and inactivity. She said it could result in problems like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
Dana Dodge, fitness coordinator at Southern Prairie YMCA, said a large factor in combating obesity is educating people how to use the available resources. She said that from Hanson’s Fitness to the Y to community running races, local fitness resources are definitely out there.
In fact, according to the report, 87 percent of Union County residents live in close proximity to a park or recreation facilities, making it the fifth-best in the state for that measure.
“Creston has a lot of opportunities,” Dodge said. “I think it is just awareness and education and getting out there and showing people what is available in the communities to take advantage.”
Of all the subcategories, Union County’s main strength is clinical care. The No. 19 ranking includes scores like preventable hospital stays and diabetic monitoring that are not only areas of improvement, but areas in which the county is better than the state average.
“I think we have a very good health care system here,” Walter said. “For a small town, we have a lot of physicians. We are right up there and keep up with all the latest treatments and trends.”
A complete list Union County's rankings and factors can be found online at www.countyhealthrankings.org.