Waukesha County is ranked the 5th healthiest in Wisconsin, according to the 2018 County Health Rankings, released nationwide today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI).

“It’s very gratifying to see that Waukesha County has risen to the 5^th healthiest in the state, from the 10^th healthiest last year,” said Benjamen Jones, Waukesha County Public Health Officer. “Reports like this show us that our strategies are working, and they provide new data to help us continue to improve how we serve our residents.”

The 2018 report ranks Waukesha County 5^th out of Wisconsin’s 72 counties for health outcomes, which measure length of life and quality of life, and second for health factors, such as adult smoking, adult obesity, physical inactivity, excessive drinking, and alcohol-related deaths. When combined, Waukesha County ranks 5^th healthiest overall in the state.

The County Health Rankings are one of several data sources that help inform the focus of resources for the Waukesha County Department of Health & Human Services. The Public Health Division is currently spearheading an effort to gather and evaluate data through the three-year Community Health Improvement Plan and Process (CHIPP). The CHIPP is currently focused on three health-related areas: Mental Health, Nutrition & Physical Activity, and Opioid Use. Information gathered through the CHIPP will help implement programs and monitor health impacts for Waukesha County through 2020. More information is available at www.waukeshacounty.gov/chipp.

Counties that ranked higher than Waukesha County in the 2018 County Health Rankings, include, starting with most healthy, Ozaukee County (1^st), Taylor County (2^nd), Pepin County (3^rd), and Washington County (4^th). The five counties ranked as being in the poorest health, starting with least healthy, are Menominee County, Milwaukee County, Sawyer County, Adams County, and Langlade County. The Rankings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.

Follow Waukesha County’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Twitter at @WaukeshaCoHHS.