When it comes to health, Mower County once again ranks in the middle of the state’s counties.

The rankings released this morning by County Health Rankings & Roadmaps once again showed Mower ranked 46th — the same as last year.

This year, however, the rankings included all of Minnesota’s 87 counties, while it only included 84 counties last year.

Mower ranked 19th in mortality/premature deaths, 78th in morbidity, 48th in health behaviors, 67th in clinical care, 67th in social and economic factors, and 67th in physical environment.

Mower Refreshed Coordinator Sandy Anderson said county public health officials would like to see the county increase in the rankings, but the report isn’t detailed enough for county officials to improve upon.

“We look at the county health rankings as a tool to consider, but in the past year, we have taken steps to get much more specific with our county data,” Anderson said.

County officials are conducting a health survey to assess the needs of area residents. Anderson said that survey and others like the Minnesota Student Survey give a better picture of the area’s health, and offer more things for county officials to work on.

Carver County was the top ranked Minnesota county, and Steele was second.

Dodge County was ranked fourth, Olmsted was 17th, Goodhue was 56th and Freeborn county was 67th.

Manhomen County was ranked 86th, and Cass took the lowest spot at 87th.

The rankings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org and are completed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

The rankings are aimed at creating solutions that make it easier for people to be healthy in their communities.

Mower County Public Health Director Lisa Kocer did not return calls for comment.