Douglas Nevada's healthiest county

Douglas County ranked the healthiest county in Nevada overall for health outcomes by the county rankings and roadmaps program for 2022.

In addition, Douglas County ranked No. 2 overall when compared to other Nevada counties on factors that influence community health such as health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic, and physical environment.

The rankings provide community leaders and members of the public with information to help shape policy decisions around issues of public health and factors that impact length and quality of life in communities. The overall health outcomes measure how long people live and how healthy people feel while alive; while health factors measure conditions that influence the overall health of a community.

According to the report, Douglas County residents can expect to live on average 81.1 years, which is approximately three years longer than the average of 78.1 years for the State, and 78.8 years for the nation.

Additionally, only 15 percent of residents in the county self-report fair or poor physical health, compared to 20 percent overall for the state. Douglas ranked well compared to other counties for health factors such as physical activity with 76 percent of residents reporting access to exercise opportunities and only 23 percent reporting no physical activity in the last month. These statistics align with some of the top-performing states in the United States. Click here to access the complete report.

“Douglas County leadership has made public health and improving the quality of life for Douglas County residents a strategic priority,” said Patrick Cates, County Manager. “The services we provide are intended to keep our community members happy, active, and independent. In 2014, the 83,000 square foot Douglas County Community and Senior Center opened with health and social services offerings for seniors, adults, and youth. In addition, the County provides access to and maintains a wide variety of attractive, healthy, safe, and accessible outdoor recreational opportunities to residents of all ages.”

The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps is an initiative of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The goal of the initiative is to improve health outcomes for all and to close the health disparities between those with the most and least opportunities for good health. For more information here.