April 29, 2022

Kitsap ranked among the top 10 healthiest counties in Washington state

The County Health Rankings provide a snapshot of our community's health entering the COVID-19 pandemic and identify areas for improvement. 

KITSAP COUNTY, WA – Kitsap ranks among the top 10 healthiest counties in Washington state, according to new County Health Rankings data released this week. 

The health rankings, produced annually by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, ranked Kitsap ninth among Washington counties for health outcomes (a measure of the current health of our population) and fourth for health factors (factors that will affect the future health of Kitsap residents). 

"These rankings reflect the efforts of so many organizations and individuals to make Kitsap a healthy place to live, learn, work and play," Kitsap Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Gib Morrow said. "The data also show plenty of room for improvement, and we remain focused on ensuring all residents have equitable opportunity to be healthy."

Kitsap County’s health outcomes ranking changed from 13th in 2021 to ninth in 2022, while its health factors ranking remained unchanged at fourth. Click the image to see more analysis of Kitsap rankings.

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

County Health Rankings data identified several areas where Kitsap health factors ranked higher than the state and national averages. These included a high percentage of adults completing high school and some college, and low percentage of adults who reported no physical activity. A decreasing percentage of residents without health insurance and decreasing air pollution were highlighted as improving trends. 

Areas where Kitsap health factors ranked below state and national averages included adult smoking and adult obesity. Increasing sexually transmitted infections and increasing injury deaths were flagged as worsening trends.

• View the full County Health Rankings report for Washington
• View Kitsap Public Health District's rankings analysis

To improve accuracy and consistency, most metrics included in the 2022 County Health Rankings are based on data gathered across multiple years prior to 2020. This means data do not reflect the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study largely relies on national data sources, meaning data are not always as detailed or timely as data available from local sources. 

"Based the time frame data were collected, these national rankings provide a snapshot of our county's health entering the COVID pandemic," Dr. Morrow noted. "At the local level, our epidemiologists are using the most up-to-date data available to monitor and measure the health of our community."

HOW KPHD TRACKS HEALTH TRENDS

Kitsap Public Health District's Epidemiology Program taps dozens of reliable data sources to track health outcomes in Kitsap County and analyze factors influencing the health of residents. This year, Health District epidemiologists introduced a library of interactive dashboards exploring numerous local Health Indicators. This resource will help bring awareness to health issues and inform health initiatives. When possible, the dashboards compare Kitsap data to statewide trends and highlight disparities experienced by different subpopulations and geographic areas.

Health indicator topics include: 

• Population characteristics 
• Economic factors
• Healthcare access
• Communicable disease
• Chronic disease
• Mental health and wellbeing 
• Substance use
• Maternal and child health
• Deaths

The Health Indicators webpage also includes links to additional health assessments and reports and useful data sources. 

QUESTIONS? Contact: pio@kitspapublichealth.org