EPHRATA - Grant County's health is ranked 23rd out of Washington State's 39 counties (No. 1 is the healthiest county), the Grant County Health District reports.

The fifth annual National Health Rankings are now available for all 50 states. The categories used to rank the counties give public health a summary of the general health of their community.

The National County Health Rankings show how Grant County ranks on items that cause good and poor health. You can see how Grant County ranks on these items by visiting www.countyhealthrankings.org.

"The rankings show the value of where we live matters to our health," said Jeff Ketchel, Grant County Health District Administrator. "Over the years, public health, in cooperation with many community members and leaders, has been building a culture of good health."

"The Grant County Health District is always working for a safer and healthier Grant County, but they do not and cannot do it alone," Ketchel said.

Here are five things Ketchel said you can do to make a difference in Grant County's health:

• Get some exercise today. Go for a family walk today, or grab your helmet and take a bike ride.
• Wash your hands often. Handwashing is one of the easiest things we can do to keep ourselves and others well.
• Wear your seatbelt and be sure children are in the right car seat. Grant County has one of the highest rates of motor vehicle death and injury in Washington.
• Eat healthier today. Try a new vegetable at dinner tonight, or have some fruit for dessert.
• Get your shots. Vaccines are one of best tools we have to prevent disease.