Worcester Co. fares poorly in health report
Worcester County is fourth-worst among Massachusetts counties in quality of life, according to a new report that gauges areas' healthiness.
The county exceeded state averages in smoking and obesity rates, as well as excessive drinking, and lagged when it comes to access to exercise opportunities, according to the report from New Jersey health nonprofit Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released Wednesday.
The county, which includes Worcester, Fitchburg and Leominster, scored better in clinical care, with a low 4-percent rate of uninsured residents and factors including ratios of physicians, dentists and mental health providers per resident.
In over all health rankings, Worcester County was ninth of the state's 14 counties. Middlesex County fared better, at third overall, including second-best for quality of life.
Suffolk County, which includes Boston, rated 11th over all, hurt by crime, lower graduation rates and children in single-parent households. Nantucket County ranked first while Hampden County, which includes the Springfield area, rated last.
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