Yesterday the 2017 County Health Ranking, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute ranked San Mateo County the healthiest County in California.  The ranking moderately reflects San Mateo County’s affluence.  The report showed that San Mateo County has lower rates of uninsured adults and children, higher rates of physical activity and excellent opportunities to access exercise, lower smoking rates, and lower violent crime.  These factors contribute to San Mateo County having lower rates than most California Counties of premature death before the age of 75 years. 

The national County health ranking highlighted also an alarming increase in the number of US residents that died prematurely before age 75 years between the ages of 25-44 years. A primary contribution to this alarming increase in US deaths is the growing drug overdose trend.  An alarming number of drug overdoses are due to opioid use.  In San Mateo County opioid use has not been identified as a large problem however to curtail the growing trend in drug overdose deaths we have created a “treatment Opioid safe” campaign. 
 
Although we are delighted to be ranked the healthiest County in California challenges remain to accomplish our goal that all residents to live longer, healthier lives.  San Mateo County has a high rate of adult obesity, sexually transmitted infections are on the rise and at least 10% of children are living in poverty.  Further, a significant amount (37%) of San Mateo County residents spend greater than 30 minutes commuting in their car alone, however, the benefits of living in San Mateo County outweigh the commute. In addition, San Mateo County has a high need for housing and affordable housing in particular that is making it harder for current residents and workers to have stable and affordable housing in the county. The Home for All Initiative is working to increase home opportunities for all.