Madison, Wis. — Johnson County ranks the healthiest in Kansas and Edwards is the least healthy county in the state, according to new County Health Rankings data from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI). The Rankings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.
For more than a decade, Rankings’ data, evidence, guidance and stories have broadened the nation’s understanding about the multiple factors that shape health. This year, we find that counties with well-resourced civic infrastructure have higher rates of high school completion, higher household incomes, less income inequality and lower rates of children in poverty and uninsured adults. In these communities, people also tend to live longer.
“Our findings reveal that people and places thrive when all residents have the chance to participate in their communities,” said Sheri Johnson, principal investigator of County Health Rankings & Roadmaps and director of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. “History shows that we can remake systems and structures through civic participation that are beneficial to all.”
This year’s County Health Rankings looked at a series of factors to measure civic infrastructure and participation in counties including access to parks, school funding adequacy, broadband, voter turnout and self-reported census participation. To see how your state fares on these measures of civic health – the opportunities we have to use our voice in shaping our communities – visit https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/explore-health-rankings/kansas?year=2023.
“The annual County Health Rankings, and the data used to build them, have been important tools for communities that want to identify and improve the many interconnected factors that fuel health,” said Kari Bruffett, president and CEO of the Kansas Health Institute. “The findings of the 2023 national report highlight the importance of civic health to thriving people and communities. The report also provides actionable data, researched strategies and guidance that can help community leaders work to improve the health of all Kansans.”