According to a recent study, La Porte County
ranks 72 of 92 counties in Indiana in terms of
overall health. Among other things, too many La Porteans are out of
shape, smoke, lack insurance, or are unemployed
and living in poverty.
Some of the counties depicted here seem a bit
smug, but in all probability others in our
region are probably plagued by the same health
issues.
Clearly, many of these health issues are
economic, arising from a struggling job market
in the county. I have also heard it said that
there is poor housing stock here, which attracts
poverty and in turn these issues. One could
assume that people who take good care of their
properties also tend to take good care of their
health, but perhaps I'm going off on a rabbit
trail...