Whatcom County is the sixth healthiest county in Washington state

According to 2011 report by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Whatcom County is the sixth healthiest county in Washington state which brings us up one spot from last year. San Juan County was at the top of the list.

“Where we’re doing really well is mortality. Our rate of premature death is below both the national benchmark and Washington state’s rate,” said Susan Sloan, health information specialist for the Whatcom County Health Department.

The County Health Rankings were broken into four categories: health behavior, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment.

Adult obesity rates, and teen birth rates in Whatcom County were lower than the rest of the state and the national average, but excess drinking rates and percentage of adults without health insurance was higher.