By Jeremy Z. Young

Does living in Knox County make you feel healthier?

Well maybe it should considering that Knox County ranked higher than any of it’s neighboring counties on a recent health study.

According to the Tennessee County Health Rankings: 2007 Index, Knox County placed as the 5th healthiest county out of Tennessee’s 95 counties.

The report, released by the Tennessee Institute of Public Health, profiles the health of counties based on information from the Tennessee Department of Health, Department of Education and U.S. Census Bureau among other sources.

Blount and Loudon Counties also placed in the top 25, listing at 15 and 13 respectively. However, other neighboring counties didn’t fare as well.

Sevier County ranked 27; Jefferson 32; Roane 41; Anderson 49; Grainger 65 and Union at 72.

Campbell County ranked 80 and Cocke County ranked 88.

The rankings combine many aspects of county health, including population, socioeconomic and environmental aspects. The rankings help state and local lawmakers by serving as a comprehensive tool for targeting positive change opportunities.

Counties are ranked based on their health outcomes and determinants.

Some counties, including Knox, ranked healthier than in the previous annual ranking. Knox ranked 6th in 2006, one mark below it’s 2007 ranking.

In 2007, Anderson County dropped from 15 to 49; Grainger from 63 to 65; Roane 24 to 41; Campbell from 51 to 80; Union from 70 to 72 and Jefferson from 25 to 32.

Blount County rose from 16 to 15; Loudon from 18 to 13 and Sevier from 32 to 27.

Cocke County stayed at the same rank in 2006 and 2007 at 88.

Hancock County ranked 95 this year as the least healthy county in the state, while Lake County held that honor last year.

Williamson County, just south of Nashville has ranked as the healthiest Tennessee County for two years.