Philadelphia Ranked Least Healthy County In Pennsylvania

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Backing up recent studies showing that the area suffers from high rates of drug overdoses and fatal asbestos poisoning, Philadelphia has been ranked as the state's least healthy county, according to new research.

The study put together by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute measures the health of nearly every country across America.

Researchers took data from a wide variety of national and local sources and ranked them with statistical-informed weight. The following categories were considered:

1. Overall Health Outcomes
2. Health Outcomes – Length of life
3. Health Outcomes – Quality of life
4. Overall Health Factors
5. Health Factors – Health behaviors
6. Health Factors – Clinical care
7. Health Factors – Social and economic factors
8. Health Factors – Physical environment

Philadelphia ranked dead last, 67th out of 67, in overall health factors, social and economic factors, overall health outcomes, and health behaviors. Poverty and a lack of access to care combined with drug, alcohol, and tobacco use led to the low score.

Nearby, Chester County ranked first overall, Montgomery County third, Bucks County sixth, and Delaware County 35th.

Learn more about the data sources for this study here.

Image of Pennsylvania premature death rate courtesy Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.