Distinctly Montana Magazine

To be more specific, rank- ings were based on programs and policies in relation to the physical environment (the built environment and environmental quality) and health factors (edu- cation, employment, income, family and social support, and community safety). The health factors rankings involved clinical care (both access to care and quality of care) and health behaviors (tobacco use, diet and exercise, alcohol use, and unsafe sex). These rank- ings were then evaluated for health outcomes: mortality (length of life) 50% and morbidity (quality of life) 50%. Two summary ranks per county were then listed: health outcomes (how healthy that county is) and health factors (what influences the health of that coun- ty). The mortality ranking was based on a measure of "premature death": the years of potential life lost prior to age 75. The morbidity numbers were for quality of life and birth outcomes combining self-reported fair or poor health, poor physical health days, poor mental health days, and the percent of births with low birth weight. Mortality and morbidity factors were then determined. (Graphic for this on p. 3 of www.county- healthrankings.org/montana) While health rankings may be interesting, their sig- nificance comes from measuring strengths and weak- nesses so improvements can be made. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Insti- tute are providing this information to empower local communities to take steps to improve their rank- ings. Their "Roadmaps to Health" project wants to share the encour- aging news on what can be done to promote good health everywhere in the United States and provides grants to coalitions and partnerships among policy- makers, business, education, public health, health care, and community organizations to improve overall health. Tools and resources that have proven success- ful in other areas of the country are freely shared so each location is not trying to reinvent the wheel and funding is available for the best efforts. As Margaret Mead would say, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." If you are interested in learning how to improve your health and that of your family, neighbors, commu- nity, town, and county, more information is available at www.countyhealthrankings.org where an action center will provide specific ideas to empower you as well as how to fund those ideas and connect you with others working to improve the health of their communities. Each of us ultimately make choices every day that enhance or harm our health and can benefit from en- couragement and support from our communities to take action in positive directions. For those of us living in Montana who personally rank us first in quality of life, in addition to role modeling healthy lifestyles, we can come together using the systems developed by organi- zations like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to improve the health and lives of our friends and neigh- bors in our great state. Together we can accomplish what is not possible on our own. Regardless of whatever rankings may show for varying measures, to those of us fortunate to call Montana home, in our hearts we know and love Montana as truly "The Last Best Place." DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL For more Montana Health statistics, go to: www.distinctlymontana.com/health131 www.distinctlymontana.com 47 For those of us living in Montana who personally rank us first in quality of life, in addition to role modeling healthy lifestyles, we can come together to improve the health and lives of our friends and neighbors in our great state. "Montanans excel at healthy lifestyle overall." Dr. Pam Hiebert "Bariatric surgery has consistently demonstrated superior weight loss with improvement or remission of virtually all obesity related conditions." David A. Rohrer, MD Bariatrics, General and Laparoscopic Surgery

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