a score of 67.0 for both California and the United States.
than both California and the United State
Orange County as the 51st State
To gain a better understanding of the significance of the
various index scores, Orange County can be compared
with our nation’s 50 states as if it were the 51st state.
When ranked in this manner, Orange County falls in the
top 10 in five of the six sub-indices:
• Orange County would rank second, only trailing the
state of Hawaii, in the Composite Well-Being Index.
• For Physical Health, Orange County would rank first
– higher than all 50 states.
• For Healthy Behaviors, Orange County would rank
second.
• Orange County’s lowest ranking among the states
would be for Basic Access at 15th.
Basic Access Index
Orange County respondents indicated significantly higher levels of satisfaction with where they live than those
throughout California and the United States:
• More Orange County residents have health insurance
than in the state, but fewer than have it than in the
nation.
• In the last 12 months, more Orange County residents
visited the dentist compared to both the state and
nation.
• Compared to the state and nation, more Orange
County respondents believe their cities are getting
better, and feel safe walking alone at night.
Physical Health Index
Orange County scored better than the state and nation
on several components of the Physical Health Index:
• Orange County respondents reported less high blood
pressure, obesity, diabetes, and asthma than those
throughout the state and nation.
• Fewer Orange County residents report high cholesterol and cancer diagnoses than the nation, but more
than the state.
Healthy Behaviors Index
Orange County roughly mirrors California and nationwide scores on the Healthy Behaviors Index, with the
exception of scores related to smoking:
• About the same proportion of residents report eating
healthy foods and exercising as the state and national
averages.
• However, notably fewer Orange County residents
smoke compared with those throughout the state and
nation