The 2016 County Health Rankings are out and we're thrilled to report that Saratoga County is now ranked as the #1 healthiest county in New York State.
The study is conducted annually by the University of Wisconsin's Population Health Institute and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In 2013 an 2014, Saratoga County ranked #5 while the county was ranked #3 for health outcomes in 2015.
"We want to applaud everyone in our community that has done something positive in their jobs or in their personal lives to make our county and themselves healthier," said Susan Halstead. "Being the #1 healthiest county in all of New York State is something we can all be proud of because it represents the work and commitment to wellness of so many organizations and people."
In 2013, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors authorized the formation of a new Health and Wellness Council, chaired by Susan Halstead, of Family Vision Care Center. I
n 2014, this Council decided to celebrate June as Employee Wellness Month. They organized a series of #healthysaratoga events. The council's mission statement for the #healthysaratoga movement is "Ensure Saratoga County is one of the healthiest places to live and work!"
Since that time, the Council created:
- A new Health & Wellness Week, in January;
- The #healthysaratoga HORSE Basketball Challenge, in March;
- A vibrant set of events to celebrate Employee Wellness Month from a Twin Bridges Council employee lunchtime walk to a Networking Mixer and Wellness Fair at the Roosevelt Baths, in June;
- A #healthysaratoga Silent Disco, in October.
The council created a #healthysaratoga pledge program that now has 125 companies as signatories. The list of organization is in the left column of this email. Each one has agreed to take real action to ensure Saratoga County is one of the healthiest places to live and work.
BlueShield of Northeastern New York was one of the first partners to approach the Chamber offering to help our Health and Wellness Council. Since early in 2014, BlueShield has been a major sponsor and participant in the initiative.
"As a proud partner in the #healthysaratoga initiative, we were thrilled to learn of Saratoga's standing as the healthiest county in New York," said Dr. Kirk Panneton, BlueShield's Regional Executive and Medical Director. "The chamber should be commended for opening doors to good health for the residents and employers of Saratoga."
With employee representation on the Health & Wellness Council since it was formed, the Adirondack Trust Company has also been a leading contributor to this effort. In 2016, The Adirondack Trust Company became a major sponsor of the #healthysaratoga movement pledging to help the chamber to promote how companies and individuals can take action to improve their health.
"It is so rewarding to see our community members rally together and achieve this distinguished recognition" he said. "This designation certainly promotes the critical core values of being more active, eating healthfully, and working toward overall wellness. Thank you to all the volunteers who have led this initiative, and especially to the Chamber's Health and Wellness Council and Saratoga Hospital for their tremendous efforts leading up to this recognition. We are grateful and honored to be a lead sponsor of the #HealthySaratoga initiative."
According to Susan Halstead, the work of the #healthysaratoga movement is not over. "
Getting to #1 in New York State shows progress and is worthy of celebration," said Halstead. "Now we hope to expand the #healthysaratoga movement and to inspire even more people and companies to do set and achieve health and wellness goals so that Saratoga County will become one of the healthiest places to live and work in all of the country."
