by Larry Patrick
WALSENBURG- Huerfano County is ranked 55th in the state in health criteria. The new study released this week will show several factors including how people look at health issues and what they do about them.
Mary Garcia, the Las Animas and Huerfano County Health Care Director said the nationwide study on county health care in the nation came up with the figures but it is not certain who was talked to and what kind of questions were asked. Her department was not consulted. She figured that maybe doctors or other health care officials were contacted. The Univ. of Wisconsin put the figures together. The question being asked is whether the wealthiest counties in a state are the healthiest? Also whether counties with more primary care providers have healthier citizens? How important is having access to healthy foods, diabetic screening, effects of binge drinking, tobacco use and obesity along with graduation rates are also looked at factors linked to health.
People can go to www.countyhealthrankings.org for more information. Garcia said Huerfano County has some excellent medical facilities but that many people do not take advantage of the opportunities here which could give them better health.
She said she would study the information being released this week and give a report to the Huerfano County Commissioners on what can be done to improve health care in the county.
