What Are Unhealthiest Parishes in Louisiana?
New data has been released outlining the healthiest parishes in Louisiana. The results of the Robert Wood Johnson County Health Ratings Report puts several northwest Louisiana parishes on the list of the unhealthiest in the state.
This report does have some good news for Shreveport Bossier putting Bossier Parish as the 8th healthiest in the state while Caddo is way closer to the bottom of the list at #49.
Here Are the Top 10 Healthiest Parishes in Louisiana
Ascension 1
Cameron 2
St. Tammany 3
Lafayette 4
Livingston 5
St. Charles 6
West Feliciana 7
Bossier 8
Vernon 9
Plaquemines 10
This report shows healthier parishes have “more available and better-resourced civic infrastructure, including access to information via broadband internet, libraries and access to civic spaces, including adequately funded schools, parks and social associations.”
The data shows residents in the healthiest parishes have about twice as much access to parks and recreation facilities. So we hear lots of leaders talk about quality of life, but this report clearly shows a link between those kinds of activities and health outcomes.
This report also shows the healthier parishes also have adequate school funding which also links to student achievement and average test scores.
What Parishes in Louisiana Are Unhealthiest?
Red River #55
Webster #56
St. Landry #57
Tensas #58
Concordia #59
Washington #60
Madison #61
Morehouse #62
East Carroll #63
Bienville #64
You can click here to see this full report.
Some of the key findings in this report show 19% of adults in Louisiana smoke and 38% of all adults in Louisiana are considered obese. These are two of the biggest categories cited for health problems in the state.