Study: Norfolk County Third Healthiest in Massachusetts

According to a study done by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Stoughton is part of one of the healthiest counties in Massachusetts. 

In a recent study done by the Foundation called "County Health Rankings and Roadmaps," Norfolk County placed  third in the state, trailing only Dukes County in first place and Middlesex County in second. There are 14 counties in Massachusetts. 

In measures ranging from adult obesity and insurance coverage to premature death and teen birth rates, Norfolk County, which includes Stoughton in addition to 27 other area communities, was lower than the state average.

Norfolk County ranked third in mortality; fifth in morbidity; first in health behaviors (which includes smoking, drinking, physical activity, etc.); third in clinical care; and first in social and economic factors. 

The county ranked only ninth, however, in physical environment, which factored in drinking water safety, access to recreational facilities, access to healthy foods, and the number of fast food establishments in the area. 

While Norfolk County, on the whole, received high marks, the two neighboring counties in which Stoughton is closest, Plymouth (which includes Brockton) and Bristol (which includes Easton) were among the least healthy, ranked 10th and 12th, respectively, out of 14. 

More information on Norfolk and other counties in the report is available by clicking here.