04.04.12 “The County Health Rankings show us that much of what influences our health happens outside of doctor’s office. In fact, where we live, learn, work and play has a big role in determining how healthy we are.” Risa Lavizzo-Mourey,  president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Air pollution and violent crime in the Baton Rouge area made a significant impact on the community’s overall health grade, according to the findings of a nationwide study released Tuesday.

East Baton Rouge Parish ranked 5th best in Louisiana on the social, economic and medical aspect — called health factors, according to the 2012 County Health Rankings. Health factors affect the quality and length of life, called health outcomes, for which the parish ranked 17th out of the 64 parishes, the survey found.