ALLEGANY COUNTY NOT A HEALTHY PLACE TO LIVE SAYS A NEW REPORT

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Steuben 48th out of 62 but Livingston looks good

A new report from the University of Wisconsin lists counties nationwide "healthwise" and Allegany County is among the four lowest in the state. Steuben ranks 48th out of the 62 counties while Livingston is among the best, ranking 4th in the state.

However, Allegany County did well in physical environment measures, including air quality and access to healthy foods.

According to the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute the purpose of the study is to show counties across the United States and how they rank healthwise. 

 The BUFFALO NEWS says the researchers"combined five measures to develop a single score to rank this state’s 62 counties on overall health: the rate of people dying before age 75, the percentage of people who report being in fair or poor health, the number of days people report being in poor physical health, the number of days people report being in poor mental health, and the rate of low birth-weight infants".

The report also considered 23 other factors that affect health including smoking, diet, exercise and alcohol use.  The number of liquor stores in the county was another factor as was air quality.

Monroe County ranking 31st.  Niagara (57th), Erie (55th), Cattaraugus (56) and Allegany (52) were among the lowest in New York State according to the report.

Nassau County is the best and the Bronx the worst in the survey.