County Health Rankings
What are County Health Rankings?
County Health Rankings measure the health of nearly all counties in the nation and rank them within the state from most healthy to least healthy. The Rankings are compiled using county-level measures from a variety of national and state data sources. The measures are standardized and combined using scientifically-informed weights.
The rankings are based on Health Outcomes and Health Factors. Health Outcomes are the results of our health status. They include factors such as length of life and quality of life. Health Factors include aspects such as your health behaviors, clinical care including access, social and economic factors, and your physical environment. Each of these measures is composed of individual measures.
Why do we consider the county health rankings?
The primary objective of the county health rankings is to mobilize action toward community health by stimulating interest among the media and policymakers. Examining the rankings and where each of our four counties falls within the state can help us to identify areas where change may have a positive impact on the health of our populations.
History of County Health Rankings
County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHR&R) is a program from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. County rankings have been a topic of discussion since 1994 when the CDC released state rankings in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
The rankings we have today originated from the 2003 to 2008 annual Wisconsin County Health Rankings that was expanded to the entire United States. Now known as the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, online data is available online for almost all counties in the United States from 2011 to current.
CHR&R is known for effectively translating and communicating complex data and evidence-informed policy into accessible models, reports, and products that deepen the understanding of what makes communities healthy and inspire and support improvement efforts.
Health Outcomes
Health Outcomes represent how healthy a county is right now, in terms of length of life and quality of life as well.
Carroll County
Ranked among the least healthy counties in Kentucky (Lowest 0%-25%)
Gallatin County
Ranked in the lower middle range of counties in Kentucky (Lower 25%-50%)
Owen County
Ranked in the higher middle range of counties in Kentucky (Higher 50%-75%)
Pendleton County
Ranked in the lower middle range of counties in Kentucky (Lower 25%-50%)
Health Factors
Health Factors represent those things we can modify to improve the length and quality of life.
Carroll County
Ranked among the least healthy counties in Kentucky (Lowest 0%-25%)
Gallatin County
Ranked is ranked in the lower middle range of counties in Kentucky (Lower 25%-50%)
Owen County
Ranked in the higher middle range of counties in Kentucky (Higher 50%-75%)
Pendleton County
Ranked in the lower middle range of counties in Kentucky (Lower 25%-50%)
- Published: March 30, 2023
- Page reviewed/updated: November 20, 2023
