Fairfax County was named Virginia’s third-healthiest — behind Arlington and Albermarle Counties — in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s 2015 County Health Rankings.
The rankings look at 30 factors, including poverty, education, transportation, housing, violent crimes, jobs, access to healthy foods and access to medical care.
Some stats contributing to Fairfax’s high marks:
An adult smoking rate of 11 percent, and lower-than-average rates of obesity (20 percent), physical inactivity (15 percent) and excessive drinking (20 percent). Fairfax also earned very high marks for access to health care professionals and exercise opportunities.
But some lifestyle factors are not so great here. Fairfax was No. 37 (out of 133 counties) for physical environment. That means average levels of air pollution and housing problems and a way-above-average length of commute for many residents.
In Maryland, Montgomery County earned top honors.
Too see all Virginia stats, visit the County Health Rankings website.
Running in Reston/file photo
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