Is the Illinois Valley drinking or smoking too much? Or are there too many fast food choices?
In the new county health rankings studied by the University of Wisconsin, La Salle County ranks 77th in the state out of 102 counties for health. That’s up from 66th last year. Putnam County is the 58th healthiest county in Illinois, up from 37 last year. Bureau County is the 35th healthiest county in Illinois compared to 25th last year.
Looking at specific health factors, La Salle County is above the state average for number of smokers and excessive drinkers, people who are obese and physically inactive. On the positive, La Salle County’s graduation rate is above the state average and the birth rate and number of uninsured people are both below state average.
For a closer look at health rankings in the Illinois Valley, go to http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/illinois/2013/rankings/outcomes/overall/by-rank