Paris, Tenn.—Henry County is now ranked 40th healthiest county in the state out of 95 counties in 2018. Just last year, Henry County was ranked 55th.
Each year, County Health Rankings releases its new data for the year. County Health Rankings is a project from the University of Wisconsin Public Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and provides annual rankings for each county in Tennessee that reveal a snapshot of health in each community.
Henry County Public Health Educator Rachel Matlock said, “The numerical rank takes into account factors such as obesity, physical activity, adult smoking, and more. A rank is assigned to each county from 1 to 95, with 1 being the healthiest county in Tennessee, and 95 being the least healthy county. Increases and decreases in health behaviors influence each county’s rank.”
Henry County ranked 55 in Tennessee in 2017, but saw a jump to the 40th healthiest county in the state out of 95 counties in 2018. Many factors contributed to this new ranking, but some county improvements include a decrease in adult obesity, an increase in physical activity, an increase in access to exercise opportunities, a decrease in unemployed and uninsured individuals, and a decrease in injury deaths. However, there was a significant percentage increase in alcohol-impaired driving deaths.
“Much hard work was put into the improvements in health in our community, and it has not gone unnoticed,” Matlock said. “Our county has seen a greater dedication to wellness through initiatives such as Healthier TN Communities, with ongoing designations of Healthier TN Workplaces and Healthier TN Congregations. The Henry County Health Council would like to thank each resident’s emphasis on health in your family and community, and your dedication to make Henry County the healthiest county in Tennessee. If you would like to view the complete county report, visit www.countyhealthrankings.org .
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