A recent study by Velotric revealed that two of Oklahoma’s most populous counties, Tulsa and Oklahoma, are ranked among the top 25 unhealthiest counties in the United States. The study used a ranking system to analyze 99 of the most populated American counties based on health factors such as obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, and alcohol use. In addition to these factors, access to nutritious meals versus fast food and the availability of local fitness centers were also considered in the ratings. Velotric gathered data from multiple sources including Yelp, Google, and countyhealthrankings.org, and emphasized the significant impact of living conditions on the overall health of Americans. According to the study, the findings highlight the need for localized health solutions to address various factors affecting health.
Tulsa County, home to Tulsa, was ranked 15th with a score of 72.75, while Oklahoma County, home to Oklahoma City, ranked 23rd with a total score of 70.59. Both counties also ranked 11th in obesity, which aligns with recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing Oklahoma as the third-highest in obesity prevalence in the nation.
To determine the rankings, Velotric examined multiple categories and assigned weights to each. Categories such as the percentage of adults in poor or fair health, the percentage of adults with obesity, smoking and drinking habits, and access to healthy food were given a weight of 20%. Meanwhile, factors such as the percentage of adults with no physical activity in their free time and the local search volume for “gym near me” in 2023 were weighted at 10%. The study also factored in access to healthy food and the presence of fast food restaurants in the area.
The study also identified Texas as home to the unhealthiest county, Hidalgo County, with a score of 90.69, reflecting high rates of obesity, physical inactivity, and the availability of unhealthy food. In contrast, California and New York boast the counties with the lowest obesity rates: San Francisco County in California and New York County in New York, at 19 percent.
