OTTAWA — An annual health study ranks Riley County as the healthiest county in Kansas. And how should we delicately put it? Franklin County isn’t. Franklin County remains slightly below the middle of the pack over a variety of health markers in the study done by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Franklin County ranked 47th in health outcomes and 70th in health factors, according to the survey. That’s a slight improvement, said county health director Midge Ransom. Franklin County residents have a higher than average use tobacco, are less likely to exercise, carry more than than the average, she said. However, the county’s Local Health Initiative, which seeks to expand the number of exercise opportunities such as Ottawa’s Playful City Project, and more bike and hiking trails, as well as ensuring more healthy food for poor residents, will eventually have an impact, she said. The survey is at www.countyhealthrankings.org/kansas.
Monday, March 30, 4 p.m .
