For the fifth straight year a national survey has ranked Williamson County among the healthiest among all 232 Texas counties. The County Health Rankings ranked Williamson County second-place in 2014, close to Williamson's first-place ranking in 2013.
Since the County Health Rankings survey began in 2010, it has ranked Williamson as the first- or second-healthiest Texas county. The University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation produce the annual report that analyzes the health of every United States county. For 2014 the survey ranked Hays County at 7th, Travis County at 8th and Burnet County 14th in Texas.
Analysts base the rankings on each county's health outcomes such as quality of life and health factors such as access to health care and housing. The survey said 75 percent of Williamson County residents have access to exercise opportunities and about 11 percent of adults smoke.
W.S. "Chip" Riggins, Williamson County and Cities Health District executive director said in a statement that he anticipates the annual report because it highlights community health efforts.
"For us, the county health ranking is not about comparing ourselves to other counties, but about how we can use data to evaluate and make ours the healthiest county we can be," Riggins said.
Marcus Cooper, communications and marketing director at Williamson County & Cities Health District, said the health district used the 2013 rankings for a local health assessment survey that asked residents about their health concerns, lifestyles, and access to health care. The district then wrote a report and has begun creating a countywide health improvement plan, he said.
The health district works with the WilCo Wellness Alliance, a coalition of local health care providers, school districts, businesses and government agencies, Cooper said.
"[The health plan] will set some goals as far as addressing issues like chronic disease, heart disease, diabetes, physical activity, [and promote] facilities to allow people to be more active and healthy," Cooper said.
The coalition can also promote its goals and strategies to other cities, he said.
"We know that we've been very fortunate here in Williamson County to have our coalition and a very good framework," Cooper said. "We've always been near the top and we're hoping to stay around that range next year. Our citizens are living longer, healthier lives."