WYRZ.org 98.9 WYRZ – The Voice of Hendricks County
HENDRICKS COUNTY – For the sixth year in a row, Hendricks County ranks as the second healthiest county in Indiana based on the 2018 County Health Rankings.
“I am encouraged that Hendricks County remains the second healthiest county in Indiana,” says Dr. David Stopperich, Hendricks County Health Officer. “However, this report highlights areas of improvement for the health of Hendricks County residents that we must continue to address.”
The 2018 report shows positive changes in Hendricks County including a decrease in preventable hospital stays, a decrease in the number of uninsured adults, a decrease in poor physical health days, and a decrease in teenage births. Additionally, the number of both primary care and mental health providers in Hendricks County has increased.
While Hendricks County displays improvement in certain health outcomes and health factors, other areas show room for continued improvement. Despite showing no change in the prevalence of adult obesity, Hendricks County residents’ access to locations for physical exercise show a significant decrease. Additionally, the number of alcohol-impaired driving deaths increased, along with the rate of newly diagnosed sexually transmitted infections.
“We are continuing to work hard to improve health outcomes as reflected by the County Health Rankings,” says Jenna Prihoda, Public Health Education Specialist at the Hendricks County Health Department and Coordinator of the Hendricks County Health Partnership. Prihoda states that the Hendricks County Health Partnership continues to work through the 2016-2018 Hendricks County Community Health Improvement Plan, which established a three-year action plan to address health improvement priority areas.
“The five priority areas the Partnership focuses on are physical activity and nutrition, accessing and utilizing health care, substance abuse, mental wellness, and tobacco use. Our partners, which include representatives from local hospitals, health care, mental health and social service providers, community agencies, schools, and many others, work together through our strategic plan to address these priority areas,” states Prihoda. For more information about the improvement plan or joining the Partnership, visit the Partnership’s website at www.hendrickshealthpartnership.org.
The full 2018 County Health Rankings report can be found online at www.countyhealthrankings.org. For more information about the Hendricks County Health Partnership, or other public health initiatives, contact the Hendricks County Health Department at (317) 745-9215.
