According to a national study, San Juan County rates best in the state in six broad health categories: mortality, morbidity, health factors, health behaviors and clinical care. The study, performed by the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood John Foundation, also ranked San Juan 2nd among the state’s 39 counties in social and economic factors.

Areas where San Juan County ranked below the state average was percentage of children living in poverty, 20 percent versus 18 percent statewide, excessive drinking, 21 percent versus 17 percent, adults without health insurance 19 percent versus 18 percent and people unable to see a doctor due to cost, 14 percent versus 13 percent.

However, signs of health more than outweighed those factors. The study found that, on average, county residents are 16 percent less like to die prematurely, 25 percent less likely to describe themselves as being in poor health; also – less likely to smoke, contract a sexually transmitted disease or be a victim of violent crime.

San Juan County Health and Community Services Director John Manning views the results with both gratification and a grain of salt.

“San Juan County residents as a whole are very health conscious, and have consistently supported effective public health programs from flu clinics to nutrition programs for children and seniors,” Manning said. “But we have to acknowledge that the statistics are also affected by the number of people with chronic illnesses who move out of the county to be closer to treatment facilities.”

This is the second consecutive year that the study has ranked San Juan County as healthiest overall in the state. King County, the state’s largest population center, slipped a notch compared with 2011 from 5th to 6th place.  The study gave Ferry County the lowest health ratings in the state.

More details and full ratings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.