In the latest 2024 County Health Rankings (CHR) Report, Montgomery County, Frederick County and Howard County were recognized as some of the healthiest counties in the United States. The report emphasized the importance of civic infrastructure and spaces that enable connectivity and information sharing, such as access to local news, broadband and public libraries. It also highlighted how structural barriers such as policy, law and practice can hinder participation in activities such as voting and unionisation.
The CHR is a collaboration between the University of Wisconsin Institute for Population Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Each year, CHR compares counties within each state across more than 30 factors that affect health outcomes. These factors include social determinants such as education, employment, housing, physical activity and daily travel. Based on these criteria, Montgomery, Frederick and Howard counties are recognized as leaders in health outcomes not only in Maryland but across the country.
This report provides valuable insight into the factors that contribute to their overall health and well-being. To learn more about the rankings and key items from the 2024 CHR report, visit the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps website. You can also access specific health outcomes data for each of these top-performing counties: Howard County, Frederick County, and Montgomery County.