We never were "America's Healthiest Hometown"

[Villages PL]

It was all just a big PR fabrication. Remember the USF Health survey that was supposed to be "proof" that we were "America's Healthiest Hometown"? Well, no, it didn't prove any such thing, so forget about it.

All the while they were calling the Villages, "America's Healthiest Hometown", Sumter was only the 20th healthiest county in the state as of 2010 and slowly moving up because we were importing healthier residents from other states. In other words, the Villages was growing fast and the new residents were healthier than the general population that existed (overall) in the county.

You can read about it on the front page of today's Daily Sun (March 30, 2015) Sumter county is now ranked 7th for overall health factors. Do they list the counties that beat us? No! Do they congratulate the winner? No! Was there any mention of how we might learn from the counties that did better than Sumter? No!

Instead, The Villages is busy taking credit for Sumter county having moved up to seventh place, and it's all positive spin control.

If we are only 7th in Florida, where are we nationally?

I'll see if I can find out more about how the rankings were achieved? The article stated: "2015 national County Health Rankings analysis published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute."

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/blog/see-key-findings-our-2015-rankings (link not working)

[Jayhawk]

If we are only 7th in Florida, where are we nationally?


Why don't you find out and let us know?

I never once heard The Villages say it is the healthiest COUNTY. They say hometown. Unless you have something to prove it wrong. are you just stirring the pot?

Cheers.

[NYGUY]

It was all just a big PR fabrication. Remember the USF Health survey that was supposed to be "proof" that we were "America's Healthiest Hometown"? Well, no, it didn't prove any such thing, so forget about it.

All the while they were calling the Villages, "America's Healthiest Hometown", Sumter was only the 20th healthiest county in the state as of 2010 and slowly moving up because we were importing healthier residents from other states. In other words, the Villages was growing fast and the new residents were healthier than the general population that existed (overall) in the county.

You can read about it on the front page of today's Daily Sun (March 30, 2015) Sumter county is now ranked 7th for overall health factors. Do they list the counties that beat us? No! Do they congratulate the winner? No! Was there any mention of how we might learn from the counties that did better than Sumter? No!

Instead, The Villages is busy taking credit for Sumter county having moved up to seventh place, and it's all positive spin control.

If we are only 7th in Florida, where are we nationally?

Was there any mention of how the rankings were achieved? Not as far as I can tell. I'll see if I can find out more. The article stated: "2015 national County Health Rankings analysis published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute." Perhaps someone might find it and provide a link.

Good questions...BTW, for all intent and purposes, we are Sumter County!!

[Bogie Shooter]

It was all just a big PR fabrication. Remember the USF Health survey that was supposed to be "proof" that we were "America's Healthiest Hometown"? Well, no, it didn't prove any such thing, so forget about it.

All the while they were calling the Villages, "America's Healthiest Hometown", Sumter was only the 20th healthiest county in the state as of 2010 and slowly moving up because we were importing healthier residents from other states. In other words, the Villages was growing fast and the new residents were healthier than the general population that existed (overall) in the county.

You can read about it on the front page of today's Daily Sun (March 30, 2015) Sumter county is now ranked 7th for overall health factors. Do they list the counties that beat us? No! Do they congratulate the winner? No! Was there any mention of how we might learn from the counties that did better than Sumter? No!

Instead, The Villages is busy taking credit for Sumter county having moved up to seventh place, and it's all positive spin control.

If we are only 7th in Florida, where are we nationally?

Was there any mention of how the rankings were achieved? Not as far as I can tell. I'll see if I can find out more. The article stated: "2015 national County Health Rankings analysis published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute." Perhaps someone might find it and provide a link.

Didn't you start a previous thread on this topic??
BTW who really cares??

[red tail]

Didn't you start a previous thread on this topic??
BTW who really cares??

I don't!

[RickeyD]

It was all just a big PR fabrication. Remember the USF Health survey that was supposed to be "proof" that we were "America's Healthiest Hometown"? Well, no, it didn't prove any such thing, so forget about it.

All the while they were calling the Villages, "America's Healthiest Hometown", Sumter was only the 20th healthiest county in the state as of 2010 and slowly moving up because we were importing healthier residents from other states. In other words, the Villages was growing fast and the new residents were healthier than the general population that existed (overall) in the county.

You can read about it on the front page of today's Daily Sun (March 30, 2015) Sumter county is now ranked 7th for overall health factors. Do they list the counties that beat us? No! Do they congratulate the winner? No! Was there any mention of how we might learn from the counties that did better than Sumter? No!

Instead, The Villages is busy taking credit for Sumter county having moved up to seventh place, and it's all positive spin control.

If we are only 7th in Florida, where are we nationally?

Was there any mention of how the rankings were achieved? Not as far as I can tell. I'll see if I can find out more. The article stated: "2015 national County Health Rankings analysis published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute." Perhaps someone might find it and provide a link.


So what's the point ?

[Villages PL]

Why don't you find out and let us know?

I never once heard The Villages say it is the healthiest COUNTY. They say hometown. Unless you have something to prove it wrong. are you just stirring the pot?

Cheers.

Good question. If you read the article, maybe you can tell me why the article acts as if Sumter is The Villages when we are actually in 3 counties, not just Sumter. And it's not just the reporter but the head of the Villages Health Clinics that seems to have the same mind set.

[tuccillo]

Sumter County has the highest average age of any county in the country, I believe. Since health generally diminishes with age, it is probably quite an accomplishment that Sumter is where it is.

It was all just a big PR fabrication. Remember the USF Health survey that was supposed to be "proof" that we were "America's Healthiest Hometown"? Well, no, it didn't prove any such thing, so forget about it.

All the while they were calling the Villages, "America's Healthiest Hometown", Sumter was only the 20th healthiest county in the state as of 2010 and slowly moving up because we were importing healthier residents from other states. In other words, the Villages was growing fast and the new residents were healthier than the general population that existed (overall) in the county.

You can read about it on the front page of today's Daily Sun (March 30, 2015) Sumter county is now ranked 7th for overall health factors. Do they list the counties that beat us? No! Do they congratulate the winner? No! Was there any mention of how we might learn from the counties that did better than Sumter? No!

Instead, The Villages is busy taking credit for Sumter county having moved up to seventh place, and it's all positive spin control.

If we are only 7th in Florida, where are we nationally?

I'll see if I can find out more about how the rankings were achieved? The article stated: "2015 national County Health Rankings analysis published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute."

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/blog/see-key-findings-our-2015-rankings (link not working)

[wudda1955]

Okay. Thanks for the info, I guess. Although as others have asked, I don't understand your point.

[Villages PL]

Good questions...BTW, for all intent and purposes, we are Sumter County!!

Here's another question: Being that we are in 3 counties, do we get to cherry pick the county with the best ranking? Or do we pick Sumter because we are a large part of Sumter.

[Villages PL]

BTW who really cares??

You do.

[manaboutown]

Sumter County has the highest average age of any county in the country, I believe. Since health generally diminishes with age, it is probably quite an accomplishment that Sumter is where it is.

According to this site Marion County ranks #38, Sumter #7 and Lake #16 within the state of Florida. http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/florida/2015/overview

[Yorio]

Catch phrase is better than no catch phrase. Let's keep on dreaming and maybe the wish will indeed come true. People gravitate towards catch phrases especially positive ones even if it doesn't come true. Look at politics. Anyone watch "Mad Men"? Admen make millions coming up with catch phrases. That's o.k.

[Villages PL]

So what's the point ?

The point was plainly stated.

[NYGUY]

....If you read the article, maybe you can tell me why the article acts as if Sumter is The Villages when we are actually in 3 counties, not just Sumter....

Because the population of The Villages in Sumter County, is far greater than the other two counties. That is why I said, for all intent and purposes, The Villages is Sumter County.

[Bogie Shooter]

:a20::a20:

[Villages PL]

According to this site Marion County ranks #42, Sumter #27 and Lake #19 within the state of Florida. Health Rankings | County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/florida/2015/overview)

I'll be darned. You're right. Thanks for the link.

[Polar Bear]

:a20::a20:
:rolleyes:

What Bogie said.

[Villages PL]

Catch phrase is better than no catch phrase. Let's keep on dreaming and maybe the wish will indeed come true. People gravitate towards catch phrases especially positive ones even if it doesn't come true. Look at politics. Anyone watch "Mad Men"? Admen make millions coming up with catch phrases. That's o.k.

Is there any room for truth or facts in this equation? It's fine to dream about accomplishing something but to achieve the dream one would need to know 1) where you stand currently 2) where you want to go & 3) the best overall plan of action. I don't think a dream by itself accomplishes anything.

[vzw1pr]

We are moving to TV from Mi any advice on moving companies or whatever?

[Villages PL]

According to this site Marion County ranks #38, Sumter #7 and Lake #16 within the state of Florida. Health Rankings | County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/florida/2015/overview)

/// Correction: #7 for health factors and 27th. for health outcomes.

[Snowbirdtobe]

I read the report on countyhealthrankings .org and looked for good news about Sumter county and TV.

Some of the reported problems of low birthweight and teen births are not issues for Villagers.

There was, however, great news the Villages Marketing Machine might want to shout from the front page of the Daily Sunny.

Sexually transmitted infections were reported as 402 per 100,000 in Florida and 213 per 100,000 in Sumter County.
The reported rate was for Chlamydia and not other sexually transmitted infections.

[Villages PL]

I read the report on countyhealthrankings .org and looked for good news about Sumter county and TV.

Some of the reported problems of low birthweight and teen births are not issues for Villagers.

There was, however, great news the Villages Marketing Machine might want to shout from the front page of the Daily Sunny.

Sexually transmitted infections were reported as 402 per 100,000 in Florida and 213 per 100,000 in Sumter County.
The reported rate was for Chlamydia and not other sexually transmitted infections.

So if the ranking is good we'll take credit for it and to the extent that it's bad we'll claim it's not our fault.

[graciegirl]

Orthorexia: When Eating Healthy Becomes an Unhealthy Obsession (http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/060109p40.shtml)

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Here's another question: Being that we are in 3 counties, do we get to cherry pick the county with the best ranking? Or do we pick Sumter because we are a large part of Sumter.

That's my question. The Villages and Sumter County are two different things. I don't know if statistics are developed for The Villages or not, but the numbers for Sumter County are not the numbers for The Villages.

I don't know how much of Sumter County residents live in The Villages, but there are other communities in Sumter County and residents that live in other parts of unincorporated parts of Sumter County. It may very well be that it is because of The Villages, that Sumter County Rates as high as it does.

[Polar Bear]

Orthorexia: When Eating Healthy Becomes an Unhealthy Obsession (http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/060109p40.shtml)
Interesting, gg. So there's actually a word for it...even though the term is not "official" yet. Just a couple of quotes...

"Frequently eating trans fatty foods such as French fries or processed snacks is not healthy behavior, but neither is becoming obsessive about avoiding them..."

"The 'worry factor' is one of the biggest indicators...If a client has too much anxiety over what they eat, then that stress may be worse for their health than what they’re actually eating."

[tuccillo]

I believe approximately 75% of the residents of Sumter County live in The Villages.

That's my question. The Villages and Sumter County are two different things. I don't know if statistics are developed for The Villages or not, but the numbers for Sumter County are not the numbers for The Villages.

I don't know how much of Sumter County residents live in The Villages, but there are other communities in Sumter County and residents that live in other parts of unincorporated parts of Sumter County. It may very well be that it is because of The Villages, that Sumter County Rates as high as it does.

[dbussone]

Interesting, gg. So there's actually a word for it...even though the term is not "official" yet. Just a couple of quotes...

"Frequently eating trans fatty foods such as French fries or processed snacks is not healthy behavior, but neither is becoming obsessive about avoiding them..."

"The 'worry factor' is one of the biggest indicators...If a client has too much anxiety over what they eat, then that stress may be worse for their health than what they’re actually eating."

Now there's a concept I understand, I just have difficulty pronouncing it.

[dbussone]

Orthorexia: When Eating Healthy Becomes an Unhealthy Obsession (http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/060109p40.shtml)

AND you provided a link for that. How thoughtful!

[Barefoot]

Could the news article be another PR fabrication on behalf of The Villages?

Are you suggesting there is some kind of giant conspiracy afoot by The Villages to pretend Villagers are healthier than they are?

[chuckinca]

From front page of the Daily Sun 3/26/15:


Marion Cty Pop: 339,167 including 10,205 Villagers
Sumter Cty Pop: 114,350 including 84,292 Villagers
Lake Cty Pop: 315,600 including 11,142 Villagers


.

[TheVillageChicken]

I'm pretty sure we have the lowest SIDS rate in the US.

[CFrance]

:rolleyes:

What Bogie said.

:a20::a20:

What Polar Bear said Bogie said.:icon_bored:

[dbussone]

What Polar Bear said Bogie said.:icon_bored:

I'm all in!

[NYGUY]

From front page of the Daily Sun 3/26/15:
Sumter Cty Pop: 114,350 including 84,292 Villagers



.

74%....Sumter County is The Villages.

[Mudder]

What Bogie, Polar and Gracie said.

[Villages PL]

Sumter County has the highest average age of any county in the country, I believe. Since health generally diminishes with age, it is probably quite an accomplishment that Sumter is where it is.

I just learned something about the rankings. There are two parts: 1) health factors - rank 7th. & 2) health outcomes - rank 27th.

I was just told that they didn't report the health outcomes because the rest of the county is responsible for the poor showing of 27th.

But you suggested that age is a big factor. If most of the other communities in Sumter are younger, why would they be pulling us down? Wouldn't they be pulling us up?

[Villages PL]

According to this site Marion County ranks #38, Sumter #7 and Lake #16 within the state of Florida. Health Rankings | County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/florida/2015/overview)

Sumter is #7 for health factors but 27th for health outcomes. Notice that there are two maps on your link, one on the right and one on the left. One is for health outcomes and one is for health factors.

[Villages PL]

That's my question. The Villages and Sumter County are two different things. I don't know if statistics are developed for The Villages or not, but the numbers for Sumter County are not the numbers for The Villages.

I don't know how much of Sumter County residents live in The Villages, but there are other communities in Sumter County and residents that live in other parts of unincorporated parts of Sumter County. It may very well be that it is because of The Villages, that Sumter County Rates as high as it does.

Sumter population: 114,350 including 84,292 Villagers.

For "health factors" Sumter ranks #7th. For "health outcomes" Sumter ranks #27th. According to the article, it seems The Villages community is taking credit for having moved up on the "health factors" ranking. But we are divorcing ourselves from the rest of the county when it comes to health outcomes. Even though the other communities only represent a small portion of the population, and are younger on average.

If that's not cherry picking, I don't know what is.

[Villages PL]

Are you suggesting there is some kind of giant conspiracy afoot by The Villages to pretend Villagers are healthier than they are?

I wouldn't use the phrase "giant conspiracy".

How would you explain what happened? 1) First The Villages claims to be America's Healthiest Hometown. 2) Then we only come in 7th in Florida 3) And for "health outcomes" we only rank #27th.

Is it ignorance? Incompetence? PR tactics to sell more homes?

[Villages PL]

Village pl....it is hard to stay infront of the posse, but I take my hat off to you :beer3:

Thanks, Ziggie. You know you're gonna give me a heart attack with a compliment like that. :wave:

[wudda1955]

It's a freaking marketing slogan!!!! Do you believe every advertisement you read? if so, I feel sorry for you--even my grandson knew at age seven that you shouldn't believe marketing hype.

I never believed The Villages was truly America's anything. To me, personally, however, it's simply a great place to retire. Oh, and I didn't want to come here in the first place--this was my husband's dream. I could care less about the marketing, the developer, or anything else people complain about (except the potential pricing of events at The Sharon). I won't leave now. It's my home.

[Jayhawk]

But you suggested that age is a big factor. If most of the other communities in Sumter are younger, why would they be pulling us down? Wouldn't they be pulling us up?

Maybe all those youngsters eat at Arby's.

:pepper2::pepper2::pepper2:

[maryanna630]

I agree with Ziggie and I don't understand the rather unpleasant comments. If you are not interested, why comment at all? I thought it was interesting, however.

[graciegirl]

It was all just a big PR fabrication. Remember the USF Health survey that was supposed to be "proof" that we were "America's Healthiest Hometown"? Well, no, it didn't prove any such thing, so forget about it.

All the while they were calling the Villages, "America's Healthiest Hometown", Sumter was only the 20th healthiest county in the state as of 2010 and slowly moving up because we were importing healthier residents from other states. In other words, the Villages was growing fast and the new residents were healthier than the general population that existed (overall) in the county.

You can read about it on the front page of today's Daily Sun (March 30, 2015) Sumter county is now ranked 7th for overall health factors. Do they list the counties that beat us? No! Do they congratulate the winner? No! Was there any mention of how we might learn from the counties that did better than Sumter? No!

Instead, The Villages is busy taking credit for Sumter county having moved up to seventh place, and it's all positive spin control.

If we are only 7th in Florida, where are we nationally?

I'll see if I can find out more about how the rankings were achieved? The article stated: "2015 national County Health Rankings analysis published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute."

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/blog/see-key-findings-our-2015-rankings (link not working)


America's Healthiest Hometown is an advertising statement. And an advertising statement is meant to be catchy and creative rather than literal and defining. It is designed to sell something.

Just do it. A little dab'l do ya. See the USA in your Chevrolet. Where's the beef?

77 Catchy and Creative Slogans (http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/77-catchy-and-creative-slogans/)

[tuccillo]

How do you know that the rest of the county was responsible for the poor showing of 27th? Are the statistics broken down by those who live in The Villages and those who don't?

I just learned something about the rankings. There are two parts: 1) health factors - rank 7th. & 2) health outcomes - rank 27th.

I was just told that they didn't report the health outcomes because the rest of the county is responsible for the poor showing of 27th.

But you suggested that age is a big factor. If most of the other communities in Sumter are younger, why would they be pulling us down? Wouldn't they be pulling us up?

[Polar Bear]

I agree with Ziggie and I don't understand the rather unpleasant comments. If you are not interested, why comment at all? I thought it was interesting, however.
I must admit I'm a bit uncertain who you're accusing of being "unpleasant". If you read the OP, it's negative from the title to the last word.

[mickey100]

It was all just a big PR fabrication. Remember the USF Health survey that was supposed to be "proof" that we were "America's Healthiest Hometown"? Well, no, it didn't prove any such thing, so forget about it.

All the while they were calling the Villages, "America's Healthiest Hometown", Sumter was only the 20th healthiest county in the state as of 2010 and slowly moving up because we were importing healthier residents from other states. In other words, the Villages was growing fast and the new residents were healthier than the general population that existed (overall) in the county.

You can read about it on the front page of today's Daily Sun (March 30, 2015) Sumter county is now ranked 7th for overall health factors. Do they list the counties that beat us? No! Do they congratulate the winner? No! Was there any mention of how we might learn from the counties that did better than Sumter? No!

Instead, The Villages is busy taking credit for Sumter county having moved up to seventh place, and it's all positive spin control.

If we are only 7th in Florida, where are we nationally?

I'll see if I can find out more about how the rankings were achieved? The article stated: "2015 national County Health Rankings analysis published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute."

http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/blog/see-key-findings-our-2015-rankings (link not working)

Apparently it was a marketing slogan that was untrue. We've learned to take a lot of things that we hear around here with a grain of salt.

[CFrance]

I agree with Ziggie and I don't understand the rather unpleasant comments. If you are not interested, why comment at all? I thought it was interesting, however.

Oh, but we are interested. Many of us are interested in debating certain statements when they are presented as facts, or skewed to appear to be facts, or being told what we should or shouldn't eat/do/think, and why.

When I was relatively new to the forum, I learned a lot about posters by reading their former posts. You can left-click on their name above a post and pull down a menu that includes "Find all posts by" that person. You can decide if a poster has an agenda, and whether or not you feel that a poster's presentations are reliable or are just being used to justify or further his or her agenda, and whether or not they're jumping on anything they find online to address their favorite viewpoint or even just stir the pot to start a debate.

So please don't accuse us of being disinterested. We have heard a lot from each other down through the years, and sometimes we just feel the need to present another side. Or we're tired of the same-ole same-ole and wish to voice our our opinion about that. That's everyone's right on this forum.

[graciegirl]

Apparently it was a marketing slogan that was untrue. We've learned to take a lot of things that we hear around here with a grain of salt./////

[graciegirl]

Oh, but we are interested. Many of us are interested in debating certain statements when they are presented as facts, or skewed to appear to be facts, or being told what we should or shouldn't eat/do/think, and why.

When I was relatively new to the forum, I learned a lot about posters by reading their former posts. You can left-click on their name above a post and pull down a menu that includes "Find all posts by" that person. You can decide if a poster has an agenda, and whether or not you feel that a poster's presentations are reliable or are just being used to justify or further his or her agenda, and whether or not they're jumping on anything they find online to address their favorite viewpoint or even just stir the pot to start a debate.

So please don't accuse us of being disinterested. We have heard a lot from each other down through the years, and sometimes we just feel the need to present another side. Or we're tired of the same-ole same-ole and wish to voice our our opinion about that. That's everyone's right on this forum.

bump

[Cedwards38]

I could be wrong, but didn't the marketing say that we want to become America's Healthiest Hometown? Thus the hospital expansion, the recruitment of Marcus Welby's, and the creation of the Villages Health System.

[Topspinmo]

If we are really worried about our health maybe need to evaluate our activity. If we got big beer belly maybe belly up all night might not be healthy activity. If we can hardly get out of the golf cart and waddy over to the ball, maybe we need to walk the courses more?
If we never miss happy hour and our liver is dying, maybe we better skip few happy hours. :sing:

Even if I am picture of health don't mean my neighbor cares how the area ranks.

IMO overall considering the age people In The villages villagers are pretty healthy and the village health care system activity seeks good health, but it's up to the individual in the end. So the catchy phrase has merit, but not all partisipate:oops:

[Barefoot]

Oh, but we are interested. Many of us are interested in debating certain statements when they are presented as facts, or skewed to appear to be facts, or being told what we should or shouldn't eat/do/think, and why.

When I was relatively new to the forum, I learned a lot about posters by reading their former posts. You can left-click on their name above a post and pull down a menu that includes "Find all posts by" that person. You can decide if a poster has an agenda, and whether or not you feel that a poster's presentations are reliable or are just being used to justify or further his or her agenda, and whether or not they're jumping on anything they find online to address their favorite viewpoint or even just stir the pot to start a debate.

So please don't accuse us of being disinterested. We have heard a lot from each other down through the years, and sometimes we just feel the need to present another side. Or we're tired of the same-ole same-ole and wish to voice our our opinion about that. That's everyone's right on this forum.

Well said CFrance. :ho:
Some of us are very interested in topics about health, but we don't necessarily agree with the OP.
This is a forum - it's a place for us to give our opinions and debate issues.

[manaboutown]

This is a weighty topic. Too, there are smoking guns. Neither are healthful issues.