Broome County Health Department officials say numbers released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that shows the area 56 out of 62 for length of life may be a bit skewed by the larger number of older residents in the county.

The CDC report showed Broome third out of the 62 counties in New York State for physical environment for things like contaminants and water quality.

The length of life category refers to the number of people dying under the age of 75 but the local health department says a large number of people have been passing away in their early 70s, falling under the age 75 threshold.

Broome comes in about average for obesity and smoking rates, but is still down the list at 31 out of the 62 counties for overall health.

The Broome Health Department has been utilizing educational programs to try to improve individual health choices.

 

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