More than 60 people attended a luncheon today to get an update on the status of Dougherty County’s health
The Health Department says Dougherty County needs additional policies and programs in place to make the community healthier because the county suffers from high mortality and morbidity rates.
District Epidemiologist Jackie Jenkins says many of Southwest Georgia deaths are preventable. “A lot of our deaths are due to lifestyle behaviors so I want them to know that modifying your health behaviors, being active, and eating well can really decrease premature death and disability” says Jenkins.
Jenkins says the four leading disease killers in Dougherty County are heart disease, lung cancer, strokes and diabetes.
Compared to the entire state Dougherty County ranks 114th out of 157 counties for health outcomes.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWFXL