The recently released 2023 County Health Rankings have ranked Denton County among the healthiest counties in Texas. The rankings bring awareness to the factors influencing health and the significant variation in health between different communities.
According to the 2023 report, Denton County ranked second in health outcomes out of all 254 counties in Texas, based on the quality and length of life measures. The county also ranked fourth in health factors, which is made up of health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment.
Dr. Matt Richardson, Denton County Public Health Director, emphasized the importance of community collaboration in achieving this ranking. He said, “It’s time again to celebrate being the second healthiest county in Texas–a distinction that highlights many positive factors, and also underscores how fortunate we are to live in a place that emphasizes health and wellness.”
Denton County outperforms both the state and the United States in many health behaviors, including adult obesity, access to exercise opportunities, and sexually transmitted infections. Additionally, Denton County has higher rates of high school completion, some college, and lower rates of children living in poverty than Texas and the United States.
Denton County Judge Andy Eads also expressed his pride in the ranking, saying, “With our ranking as among the healthiest counties in Texas, Denton County works closely with community members and organizations to promote health and well-being of our residents. By working together, we make Denton County a great place to live, work and play.”
The County Health Rankings, released annually by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, provides a snapshot of health factors and outcomes in every county in the United States. Visit CountyHealthRankings.org for detailed findings from the 2023 County Health Rankings for Denton County and counties nationwide. To learn more about Denton County Public Health, visit DentonCounty.gov/health.