Your behavior is a key factor in diagnosing Cole County's overall health.
The county ranked 18th highest among Missouri's 115 counties in the most recent study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The ranking represents an improvement from 21st position last year.
Although health behaviors is only one of seven factors used to determine a county's overall ranking, it is the one each individual has the greatest capacity to change.
The remaining six categories and their respective scores are longevity (15), quality of life (21), health factors (11), clinical care (5), social and economic factors (20), and physical environment (47).
The score for health behaviors was 30. Within the category, Cole County numbers include:
Adult smoking, 20 percent, slightly below the statewide 21 percent.
Adult obesity, 30 percent, slightly below Missouri's 31 percent.
Physical inactivity, 23 percent, marginally below the state's 26 percent.
Excessive drinking, 17 percent, slightly above 16 percent statewide.
Alcohol-impaired driving deaths, 30 percent, below Missouri's 33 percent.
Kristi Campbell, director of the Cole County Health Department, was pleased with the overall ranking and credited the level of care provided within the county.
"We are a bigger county, and we have two hospital in town," she said. "In this case, it may not be necessarily about what we're doing."
Although health care facilities contributed to the county excellent No. 5 clinical care ranking, Campbell is committed to overall improvement.
"My goal," she said, "is to look at these factors and the impact they have on our community and see what factors we can take on."
We all have a role to play, however, when it comes to behaviors, including diet, exercising, moderating alcohol consumption and avoiding tobacco and illegal drugs.
The twin benefit is everyone who contributes to an improved county ranking also contributes to their own healthy lifestyle and longevity.