Chalk up another claim to fame for the San Juan Islands.

A recently released survey of Washington state’s 39 counties reveals that in a head-to-head comparison of more than two dozen health-related statistics, including screening for diabetes, adult obesity and years lost to premature death, San Juan ranks ahead of all the rest.

The rankings are based on information reported by state and county health departments regarding health outcomes and health factors. Health outcomes are based mostly on the disease and death rates in each county, while health factors pull together data concerning health-related behaviors, like tobacco and alcohol use, and obesity rates, as well as social and economic conditions, such as income and unemployment levels, access to healthcare and environmental factors.

Though it’s a notable distinction, county Health Director John Manning said there’s room for improvement regardless of the No. 1 ranking.

Manning noted the number of adults who lack any type of health insurance, at 30 percent, is twice the state average. And while obesity rates may be low overall, he said among local health officials it remains a “real concern” for the islands’ youth.

“We still have issues,” Manning said. “Just because we’re the best doesn’t mean we can’t improve.”

According to the survey, the rate at which those enrolled in Medicare are screen for diabetes, at 91 percent, is among the highest in the state. The rate of preventable hospital stays among the local population is about half the state average.

Overall, San Juan County is rated No. 1 among the state’s 39 counties in health behaviors, No. 1 in health outcomes, No. 2 in social and economic factors affecting health; 16th in clinical care and 38th – next to last – in physical environment.

According to local officials, the low ranking in the “physical environment” category is more likely the result of the manner in which statistics were calculated rather than a reflection of conditions on the ground. The survey shows a larger than average number of days in which the islands’ air contains an unhealthy amount of “particulate matter” — 17 days a year versus a statewide average of two — and a liquor-store density that’s more than 2.5 times the state average.

San Juan, Manning noted, is lumped together with its neighboring north Puget Sound counties, where periodic bans on wood-burning stove are not uncommon, when air-quality data is compiled. Regional statistics may have accounted for San Juan’s spike in particulate matter, he said.

“That would be my guess,” he added. “But that’s speculation.”

The survey did not take into account the county’s fractured geography or separation of the population by islands in calculating services and commercial densities.

In addition to San Juan, Douglas, King, Whatcom and Whitman are among the other high-rated counties. Ferry County, located in the northeastern corner of the state, rated last in both health outcomes and health factors.

The complete rankings of Washington’s counties and more state and national health information are available on the county Health Rankings Website: http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/washington