DeKalb County is among the 20 healthiest counties in Georgia, according to the 2012 County Health Rankings compiled by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
These two groups have compiled rankings of the nation’s health on a county-by-county basis since 2010.
In its first report, DeKalb County ranked number 17 in the state but fell two spots to 19 in 2011.
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The 2012 ranking shows DeKalb as number 18 state-wide.
According to the report, Georgia’s healthiest residents can be found in Fayette County, while Talbot County is least healthy in the state.
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The Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation determine the overall health of a county by looking at medical, social and economic factors.
The factors include adult smokers, obese adults, teen birth rate, uninsured residents, children living in poverty, level of residents’ education, fast food restaurants and air pollution.
The majority of counties with the lowest ranking—118 to 156—are located in central and south Georgia, while most of those with the highest rankings—1 to 39—are located in north central Georgia.
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