(MOBILE, Ala.) A fresh survey ranking healthiness of every county in American shows a large disparity between Mobile and Baldwin counties.
That was especially interesting to Tee Cannon, who works out daily at Planet Fitness in Mobile.
"And this is real convenient up here, too," she said, "to come and work out at lunch verses after work when you're tired and don't want to work out."
These workouts are part of her life now, a life that includes commuting everyday from Baldwin County to a full time job in Mobile. She also has a part time retail job.
"You just make time," she said as she peddled away on an exercise bike.
So what determines how healthy each one of us can be? We can get an idea from The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, an annual study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin. It compares health data, like high school graduation rates, unemployment, access to healthy foods, air and water quality, income, and rates of smoking, obesity and teen births.
The records are studied in just about every state, every county.
What about Alabama?
Shelby County in ranks number one, and Baldwin County here on the coast is second. But back across the bay, it's a different story. Mobile County ranks 39th in the health survey.
It's neighbors don't fair much better, with the exception of Clarke County at 18th.
"You want to walk because you can walk," Cannon said. "There are sidewalks and parks and they're big on having rescue animals over there so they have dog parks."
But she sees one solution that just might transcend geography, choosing to eat healthy.
"And getting the fork out of your mouth!" she said, smiling.
CLICK HERE to see the survey for your county.
