A recent study performed by the University of Wisconsin Health Institute has placed Dallas County at number one in the state for health factors and outcomes. 

Dallas County Health Department Public Information Officer Ann Cochran says the study measured a variety of health related factors from smoking rates to availability of physicians, dentists and mental health providers among other factors in a geographical location. Cochran says there are things being done in the county to improve health outcomes such as free HIV/STI testing. 

“Those kinds of actions increase our ranking that we are doing fairly well and we are continuing to try new things to improve the overall health of everyone in Dallas County.”

Cochran tells Raccoon Valley Radio that while Dallas County is ranking number one in this area for Iowa there is still room for improvement. 

“It’s important to consider the variation of these factors within Dallas County. For those persons living in the more rural, western half of our county, they are less likely to have easy access to services than people who live on the other side of the county closer to Des Moines. Even though overall we rank well, there is certainly room for improvement here in Dallas County.”

For a full readout of the report and to check where your county ranked you can go here.