O'FALLON, Ill. (KMOX) — 270,000 people live in St. Clair County, according to the 2010 Census. According to an annual health ranking, too many of its residents aren't living healthy lives.
"Right now our county is about 95th out of 102 counties in the State of Illinois in our total health ranking," O'Fallon, Illinois Physician Dr. Bob Farmer explains.
And he says it's been that way for over ten years.
Later this month, the "Healthier Together Committee" made up of county and business leaders and hospital CEOs, as well as church leaders, plans to unveil its campaign and announce its partnership to improve the health of St. Clair County.
Dr. Farmer says the annual health rankings look at 72 different metrics from obesity to hypertension to suicide rates.
"Some studies suggest that 20 percent of our healthcare comes from medicine, hospitals and doctors but studies suggest 80 percent of how healthy we are comes from our schools, churches and our neighborhoods."
"Slowly yes we are going to nibble at the elephant one bite at a time. This is going to be a long process and it's not going to help overnight."
