The state of Michigan’s health has been in the news over the past few years, from obesity — it ranks the 8th most obese state in the country, according to Trust For America’s Health — to smoking, with the 11th highest incidence in the U.S. in a 2016 survey. Add the novel coronavirus, and it seems living in Michigan could be hazardous to your health.

So with that in mind, where in the Great Lake State would be the healthiest place to live?

Turns out it’s right here in Leelanau County, according to US News and World Report. In fact, Leelanau ranks #41 in the entire country in an analysis of the nation’s healthiest counties. Next up in Michigan is Livingston County, while Grand Traverse ranks third, checking in at 110. Other northern Michigan counties in the upper half of the rankings include Dickinson in the UP at #10 (262 nationally) and Benzie at #11, coming in at 341 on the national list.

How did the survey arrive at those rankings? It was based on 84 metrics across 10 health and health-related categories. Those categories included everything from access to care, health behaviors and mental health to education, employment, housing affordability, food availability, the environment and public safety.

The framework was developed by a committee appointed to advise the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The report said local health outcomes are often driven by factors like a community’s economic performance, the strength of its education system, the availability and affordability of housing and myriad other elements that affect residents’ overall quality of life. What it all means is that how well and how long you live are in large part shaped by where you live.

Which means those who live in Leelanau County should be healthier than their peers elsewhere. Lisa Peacock, a health officer with the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, isn’t sure she would go that far, but she says, “Overall, I think Leelanau is a healthy and wonderful place.”

She attributes the overall health of county residents to a number of factors: the robust agricultural community, the work of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and various agencies and community groups, and the possibilities for outdoor recreation. “The Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, environmental groups and the (Leelanau) Conservancy, the availability of outdoor resources — how lucky are we?” she asks.

That positive outlook is echoed by Heather Sedgwick, a nurse practitioner with Crystal Lake Health Clinic in Suttons Bay. She says she’s not surprised by the ranking.

She believes there are a number of factors leading to those results. For one thing, living close to the sources of nutritious food works in the favor of the health of those working and living in Leelanau County. “We don’t have a lot of fast food restaurants, it’s more a farm to table approach.”

Other considerations include health exams and activities as well as education. “We have a high rate of flu vaccinations,” says Sedgwick.

“I’ve worked with the school professionals through the pandemic. They’re committed to health and well-being,” says Peacock.

Peacock also points to the fact that people of all ages, including retirees, are attracted to the area, from professions including law, social services and medicine. “As a health department we have a ton of support from active, energized community members,” she says.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Ironically, one of the advantages of the area — its swaths of land, forests and waters — can also be problematic, as the rural nature of the county poses challenges. “Access to healthcare in rural counties is an issue,” says Sedgwick.

“There are still barriers and suffering. Transportation is a barrier,” says Peacock.

The ongoing pandemic is also a concern. “There are so many risks. When you’re spread out, the viral transmission is lower, but we’re not exempt. Leelanau is faring fairly well, but small family-owned businesses are suffering.”

And while the number of those infected by COVID-19 is smaller than those of many other areas, the enforced isolation takes a toll, according to Sedgwick. “COVID impacts everything. We’re not untouched. There’s an increase in mental health needs,” she says.

One tool being used more frequently to address both mental and physical health needs is technology. That can alleviate the challenge of both transportation and the desire to stay away from places where sick people congregate. “We’re providing telehealth more. We were doing it before COVID, but not that often. We now use it every day,” Sedgwick says.

Of course, that can be problematic in areas where connectivity is lacking. “We still have issues with access and technology,” she acknowledges. “We also do some phone visits. We can’t lay eyes on them but it’s better than nothing.”