Camden, Charlton counties among healthiest in Georgia

Ware and Brantley among least-healthy counties

The annual County Health Rankings show a distinct difference in the health of residents in several counties in southeast Georgia, with Camden and Charlton counties in the top quarter of the state and Ware and Brantley counties in the bottom half of the state. 

The study took into account several factors, including overall health outcomes like length of life and quality of life, as well as factors like health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors and physical environment.

Camden was ranked 16th out of 159 counties in the state, with Charlton at #35.

Brantley County ranked 89 and Ware County was #114.

The study found an 85 percent of the increase in premature deaths from 2014-2015 that can be attributed to a swift increase in deaths among 15-44-year-olds.

The Rankings Key Findings Report reveals that while myriad issues contributed to the rise, the drug overdose epidemic is the leading cause of death among 25- to 44-year-olds and is a clear driver of this trend.

The new rankings show a significant shift in suburbs.  A decade ago, suburbs had the lowest rate of premature death. Now they have the highest.

There are also some differences among racial and ethnic groups. Premature deaths and drug overdoses were highest among whites and Native Americans.

A map showing all counties and their rankings is available at CountyHealthRankings.org.