MN Counties Get Their Health Report Card

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Counties around the state and the U.S. are getting their annual report card on health care.

The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute prepared the rankings which use a formula to measure how healthy people are and how long they live.

Lac qui Parle County had the best health outcomes in Minnesota. McLeod and Steele counties finished second and third.

Hennepin County was 48th out of 87 counties and Ramsey County was 59th.

Those rankings are measured by weighing the length and quality of life.

Another ranking was based on health factors and four quality of life indicators -- health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors and physical environment.

Olmsted, Carver and Washington Counties lead the way in this category. Hennepin County was 5th and Ramsey County was 32nd.

The report is intended to give communities a road map to improve health. The counties can compare their health rankings with nearby counties and work together to develop programs and policies to improve.

If you are interested in seeing the full report, click here.