A new national health study found Lee County residents are getting healthier.
A new University of Wisconsin study moved the county up several rungs in a ranking of county-by-county health in the state. The study found Lee had fewer premature deaths and a lower teen birth rate than several years ago.
Last year Lee County was 24th on the list. Now it’s No. 11.
In addition to death rates and obesity—the study also looked at access to fresh produce, health care and recreational activities.
Diane Holm, a spokesperson for the Lee County Health Department, said health is best determined statistically by taking a holistic approach.
“All of these different things determine what overall health can be in a person’s life,” she said. “So, helping people to get to a point where some of these factors are not weighing so heavily on their health choices makes a huge difference.”
Holm said the county worked with several local entities to address its health issues over the past few years.
The study relies mostly on data collected as far back as 2004—so it’s not an accurate reflection of where counties are right now.
Other southwest Florida counties ranked high, as well. Collier was ranked third out of the state’s 67 counties. Sarasota was number five.
