The County Health Rankings show us that where we live matters to our health. The health of a community depends on many different factors - ranging from health behaviors, education and jobs, to quality of health care, to the environment.

Timely and appropriate prenatal care can prevent or reduce low birthweight, birth defects, and complications of birth. Why is it not included?

Timely and appropriate prenatal care is important. However, since states are at different stages of implementation with revisions to birth certificates, we were advised not to use a measure of prenatal care in the County Health Rankings.