2018 County Health Rankings Show Differences in Health and Opportunity

Wicomico County Ranks Nineteen, Improving from Last Year

(Salisbury, MD) The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute has recently released the Annual County Health Rankings. For nearly a decade, the County Health Rankings have shown that where we live makes a difference in how well and how long we live.

Good health allows people to fulfill their potential and thrive. The Rankings make it clear that good health is influenced by many factors beyond medical care, including education, jobs, affordable housing, and access to healthy foods, all factors that Wicomico County can strive to do something about.

This year, Wicomico was ranked at #19 out of 24 jurisdictions (1 being the healthiest). This rank is an improvement from last year’s ranking of #20. Wicomico County uses the Rankings to conduct community health assessments, develop community health improvement plans, and work collaboratively as part of a Local Health Improvement Coalition (LHIC) to build a culture of wellness throughout all local communities. The LHIC regularly reviews data provided through the Rankings, along with other national, state and local data to compare and then strategically determine priority areas for Wicomico County.

“The Wicomico County Health Department will continue to work with leaders from multiple sectors to build on the successes of our public health programs, coalitions, and councils. The Health Department plans to use this year’s Rankings as a call to action to address opportunity gaps so that every resident in Wicomico County has an equal opportunity to be healthy,” said Lori Brewster, Health Officer.

It’s not a race to the top; it’s about progress toward better health and wellness. To learn more about County Health Rankings visit the website at www.countyhealthrankings.org.