Study: Northampton is 25th Healthiest County in PA

is neither Pennsylvania's healthiest nor unhealthiest county, according to the 2012 County Health Rankings.

The rankings, put together by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, name Northampton the 25th healthiest county in the state. Philadelphia was the least healthy county, at number 67. Union County, in the middle of the state, ranked at number one.

The study looked at a variety of factors, including smoking and drinking, obesity, teen birth rate and access to health insurance.

"The County Health Rankings show us that much of what influences our health happens outside of the doctor’s office," said Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. "In fact, where we live, learn, work and play has a big role in determining how healthy we are and how long we live."

Among the study's findings:

• Thirty percent of the county's adults are obese, which is slightly above the state average of 29 percent. The national benchmark is 25 percent.
• Eleven percent of the county's residents have no health insurance. The statewide average is 12 percent.
• Fifteen percent of the county's children live in poverty. Across Pennsylvania, that number is 19 percent.
• Seven percent of the county's residents have "limited" access to healthy foods, which is on par with the state average. Forty-two percent of the county's restaurants are fast food restaurants. The statewide average is 48 percent.