Just how healthy is Oconee County?

Just how healthy to do you feel, Mr. and Mrs. Oconee County? A national ranking released this morning says you are doing OK, compared to most other South Carolinians. Annual county health rankings by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute rank Oconee the 11th healthiest county among South Carolina’s 46 counties. Beaufort on the coast is ranked the healthiest, while Lee in the Pee Dee is the unhealthiest. Pickens County residents are considered the ninth healthiest in the state; Anderson County residents, the 15th healthiest. When it comes to Oconeeans’ health here are some selected numbers: 15% are categorized in poor or fair health; 8% of the county’s newborn babies have low birth weights; 14% of the county’s population is in frequent mental distress; and nearly one-third of us are considered obese. When we fall victim to fatal car accidents, one-third of us are alcohol-impaired. A group of community organizations working collaboratively as the Healthy Oconee Coalition are embarking this month to address the root causes for poor health at the local level. Prisma Health’s Heather Goss, chairperson of the coalition, invites county residents to be part in events to create awareness of the reality of health for many in the community and to prepare community members to be able to help one another. A mental health first aid training to help people not only understand mental health conditions, but to recognize them and be able to handle crisis situations they may encounter on the job will be offered Tuesday, March 26 at the Oconee campus of Tri-County Technical College.