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I just received this press release from Hunterdon Health, stating that
"Hunterdon County is the 35th Healthiest County in the
United States. US News and World Report released their healthiest
communities list and Hunterdon County was named the 35
th
healthiest county in the United States and the fourth best
community in the nation for health outcomes."
According to ScienceDirect.com, "Health outcomes are defined
as those events occurring as a result of an intervention. These may be
measured clinically (physical examination, laboratory testing, imaging),
self-reported, or observed (such as gait or movement fluctuations seen
by a healthcare provider or caregiver). "
The HH press release states, "For the past two years, the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin
Population Health Institute ranked Hunterdon County as the
healthiest county in New Jersey. The study considered more than
90 factors that impact health, including access to healthcare, education,
housing, and jobs. Among the key factors that contributed to Hunterdon
County's top ranking is the high rate of county residents who have a
primary care physician (PCP). Hunterdon Health's primary care practices
focus on prevention, wellness, and coordinated care, and demonstrate
the strong partnership among our patients, physicians, and the hospital.
Hunterdon has the state's lowest ratio of residents to primary care
physicians, 820 to 1. Hunterdon ranked first in health outcomes, such
as length of life, quality of life, and social economic factors; and second
in health factors, such as obesity, smoking, and teenage birth rate."
I took part in one of these surveys several years ago. I had recently
lost a chunk of weight, was exercising regularly, eating a healthy
diet, and had just begun medication for my sluggish hypothyroid; the
youngish surveyor gave me a "you go girl!" and I was feeling pretty
good. I've since "found" at least half of that weight that I lost, but I'm
still exercising and eating (mostly) right, seeing my doctors as I should
and generally trying to stay on top of things. Note to self: gotta make
that complete physical, and mammogram appointment for October!
I was curious; how many counties are in the United States? According
to Wikipedia (so it must be true), "In total, the 50 states consist of
3,143 counties and equivalents." By my math (okay, Google's math)
this means that we're in the 1.11358575% – in other words, we're
One-Percenters... for health. In the words of philosopher Ralph Waldo
Emerson in 1860, "The first wealth
is health," ... so stay healthy, y'all!
CarolBeder
'
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–Julie Flynn
DAYS TO KEEP IN MIND
Mon Sept 2 V-J Day
Mon Sept 2 Labor Day
Wed Sept 4 National Wildlife Day
Sat Sept 7 Ganesh Chaturthi
Sun Sept 8 Grandparents' Day
Sun Sept 8 National Suicide Prevention Week
Wed Sept 11 Patriot Day
Sat Sept 14 National Sober Day
Sun Sept 15 International Day of Democracy
Thur Sept 19 Talk Like a Pirate Day (Aaarrrgh)
Sun Sept 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month
Tues Sept 17 Constitution Day
Fri Sept 20 National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Sat Sept 21 International Day of Peace
Sun Sept 22 Autumnal Equinox (Start of Fall)
Mon Sept 23 National Family Day
Wed Sept 25 National Daughters Day
Sat Sept 28 National Sons Day
Sun Sept 29 Gold Star Mother's Day
Sun Sept 29 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Day
