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.

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Communities Create a Roadmap to Health

When you think about improving the health of people in your community, what comes to mind? Improving access to and the quality of medical services? Yes. Increasing access to recreation opportunities or nutritious food? For sure. Cleaning the air or water? Absolutely. These all are critical ways to improve the health of community members.

But, do you think about supporting more students to attend college? Creating jobs? Helping families to achieve more financial stability? Improving your community’s safety? These factors may not come as readily to mind, yet they all have a significant impact on health.

That’s why we are enthused about our new role in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Health Rankings & Roadmaps Program, an initiative to improve our nation’s health by thinking beyond health care, beyond the doctor’s office. County Health Rankings, which are issued annually by RWJF and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, pinpoint what we know about what makes residents sick or healthy. The Roadmaps show how community partnerships are working to create healthier places to live, learn, work and play.