Virginia Beach, Chesapeake labeled healthiest cities in region

A new report says counties and municipalities in northern Virginia are healthier than their counterparts in the southern part of the state. 

The report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin researchers compiles rankings by health factors such as obesity, and health outcomes, like life expectancy.

Loudoun County has the healthiest behavior, while Fairfax County does best in health outcomes.

In Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach ranks 26 in healthy outcomes; Chesapeake, 35; Suffolk, 72; Norfolk, 105; and Portsmouth, 118.

Other area noteables: Virginia Beach averaged 8 motor vehicle crash deaths per 100,000 citizens, compared to a statewide average of 18.  Only 12 percent of adults are uninsured in Chesapeake compared to 15 percent statewide. Also Chesapeake has 17 percent smokers compared to 20 percent statewide. Norfolk has 23 percent smokers, and 63 teen births per 1,000 females between the ages of1 15-19 (compared to the statewide average of 37). Portsmouth has 74 teen births between the ages of 15-19 (double the statewide average).

The unhealthiest areas are farther south. Buchanan County has the worst health outcomes, with a premature death rate roughly twice the state average.Petersburg has the worst health behavior, with smoking and obesity rates well above average.

Logon to www.countyhealthrankings.org/virginia for more information about Virginia.

Pilot writer Vicki L. Friedman contributed to this story.