Real Estate Insights

(March 30, 2011) It seems that Santa Clara County residents have something new to boast about…our health. I guess all the sunshine and beautiful scenery has helped our residents stay healthy, and the health care options available to our residents aren’t bad either.

According to the 2011 County Health Rankings, the most comprehensive report of its kind to rank the overall health of nearly every county in all 50 states, Santa Clara County ranked high on overall health— 4 out of 56 —compared to all counties that were ranked in the state.

This is the second year of the County Health Rankings, a study performed by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The Rankings, in which a standard measure is used to determine how healthy people are and how long they live, helps counties see where they are doing well and where they are not so they can make changes to improve the overall health of their residents.

According to the report, a number of factors were used in determining the differences in overall health of a community. These factors ranged from individual behavior to access to health care to education and jobs to food access to air quality. Since these factors can be influenced by public policy and community-based programs, the report provides community leaders with valuable information to assist them in making decisions and changes that will improve the community’s health.

In short, the results of the survey help local government understand what they are doing well and where they can improve in order to help residents lead healthier lives. And looking at the results from the latest survey, the high rankings received by Santa Clara County, further affirms that the public policies offered through our county are working…such policies as reducing exposure to second-hand smoke, supporting public transportation, and providing the renowned Valley Medical Center and Valley Health Clinics.

So spread the news and let everyone know how lucky they are to live in not only one of the most beautiful places in CA, but also one of the healthiest. For more information about this report visit their website - www.countyhealthrankings.org