Maryland is home to seven of the healthiest communities in America, according to a new ranking released by U.S. News & World Report. The sixth annual 2024 Healthiest Communities ranking measures how well counties serve their residents and provides a blueprint for residents, community health leaders, and elected officials to develop policies and best practices for better health outcomes.
The analysis considers more than 90 metrics and hundreds of thousands of data points across 10 main categories: community vitality, economy, education, environment, equity, food and nutrition, population health, housing, infrastructure, and public safety. The report also includes an overall ranking of America’s Healthiest Communities.
Among the more than 3,140 counties ranked, those in Maryland that made the top 500 include Howard County, Montgomery County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Harford County, Anne Arundel County, and Calvert County. These counties have demonstrated a commitment to providing their residents with access to resources and opportunities that promote health and well-being.
The top 10 healthiest places in the country, according to the ranking, include Falls Church, Virginia; Los Alamos County, New Mexico; Douglas County, Colorado; Sioux City, Iowa; Hamilton County, Indiana; Dallas County, Iowa; Ozaukee County, Wisconsin; Carver County, Minnesota; Bremer County, Iowa; and Morgan County, Utah. These communities have excelled in various areas that contribute to overall health and wellness.
Julia Haines, U.S. News data editor, emphasized the importance of evaluating community health in order to consider the well-being of citizens across the country. The Healthiest Communities rankings provide valuable insights into which communities offer the greatest opportunity to live a healthy, productive life, while also highlighting areas where even the healthiest communities may struggle.
To compile the rankings and create the overall Healthiest Communities project, U.S. News partnered with the University of Missouri Extension Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems, a research institution skilled in community health assessment. The rankings are based on metrics drawn from reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Census Bureau, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Overall, the recognition of seven of the healthiest communities in America being located in Maryland is a testament to the state’s commitment to promoting health and well-being among its residents. These communities serve as examples of best practices and policies that can be implemented to improve health outcomes across the country.
