9 Facts about Health in Westchester County

• Ranked 7th in New York in overall health, down from second place last year
• Ranked 1st for healthy behaviors
• The county ranked 7th for health outcomes, which is based on length of life and quality of life
• 5th for health factors, which measure the ways our behavior and environment affect our future health.
• Improvement in reducing the number of preventable hospital stays.
  
• Higher percentage of screening for diabetes

There were, however, increases in three areas affecting the community's health:

• Sexually transmitted infections 
• Children in poverty
• Unemployment

“These results show that people can make healthier choices when they know what’s at stake and have support,” said Sherlita Amler, MD, Commissioner of Health. “We’re grateful for the help of our many community partners and glad our message is being heard.”

County officials pointed out that the survey demonstrated that Westchester residents have better than average access to primary care physicians, dentists and mental health providers, lower unemployment, fewer children living in poverty and a better educated population than the state as a whole. Westchester also had less air pollution and fewer drinking water violations than the state average, but a slightly higher percentage of alcohol-impaired driving deaths, at 28 percent, than the state average of 24 percent and more people who drive alone to work, at 60 percent versus 54 percent.

For more information, visit the Westchester County Department of Health’s website at www.westchestergov.com/health or call (914) 813-5000.

2014 County Health Rankings, from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, includes a website filled with information and ideas for how individuals and groups can contribute to the health of their communities.