Washington Metro Counties Receive High Health Ranking Despite Poor Air Quality

Fairfax, Arlington and Loudoun are the healthiest counties in Virginia, according to a set of reports to be released today. The reports rank U.S. counties and cities based on how long people live and how healthy they are. The three Northern Virginia counties get top marks within the state for overall health, but they compare poorly with other parts of Virginia for air quality. Fairfax ranked 132 -- last among Virginia's counties and cities included in the study -- in that category because of the region's horrendous traffic. Fairfax had 37 unhealthy air quality days in 2005; rural counties such as Craig and Cumberland had none. The County Health Rankings (available at www.countyhealthrankings.org) are the first reports to rank the overall health of almost every county in all 50 states. The District was not included. The Virginia study did not include Highland County or Lexington.

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