The Arkansas Department of Health released its yearly county health rankings last week, and Ouachita County was ranked among the unhealthiest in the state.
Ouachita County ranked 60th out of 75 counties.
The report shows that the area of strengths for the county include a slight rise in food environment index, higher than the state average. Excessive drinking is lower than the state rate, as well as uninsured rate. Flu vaccinations have also increased higher than the state average. High school graduation rates are at the state average. Finally, deaths due to injury are lower than the state rate.
However, low birthrates have increased and are above the state average. Adult smoking rates are above state levels. Adult obesity rates continue to rise, along with physical inactivity, another marker that is above state rates. Access to exercise is lower than the state average. Alcohol impaired driving deaths increased, also above state averages. New chlamydia cases are lower, but still above state average. Teen birth rates have also decreased, but likewise are above state averages. Child poverty is another factor that has decreased, but remains above state levels. Severe housing problems are also higher than state average, as well as the violent crime rate.