MONTICELLO, NY — It’s once again time for New York State’s County Health Rankings to be released, and again this year Sullivan County comes in 61 out of a total of 62 in terms of healthy living. The only county in New York less healthy than Sullivan is the Bronx.

Sullivan has bad marks in a number of categories: the highest per capita number of premature deaths in the state (measured as the number of people who die before they reach age 75); a relatively high number of alcohol-impaired driving deaths; a relatively high number of adults who are obese; a relatively high number of people who die due to an injury each year.

This is the third year that Sullivan has landed in this position among counties in the state. (The rankings for New York and other states can be found at www.countyhealthrankings.org.)

To address health concerns overall, Sullivan County legislative chair, Luis Alvarez, in conjunction with the New York Statewide Senior Action Council, has announced a Community Health & Tax Abatement Forum to be held on Friday, April 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center at 2 Jefferson St.

The announcement says, “This forum will discuss the New York Health Act legislation, a single-payer universal health care plan, and how it will reduce property tax burden and overall healthcare costs, while greatly expanding health benefits for Sullivan County residents and taxpayers.

“Sullivan County ranks second to last in New York State in overall poor health, and it is getting more difficult to ensure that older residents and families get the services they need to thrive and reverse these statistics.

“County taxpayers are already overburdened by the ever-increasing county taxes required to pay for essential healthcare services and the ever-growing county share of Medicaid.

“With federal funds stagnant and state funds not meeting current needs or cost of mandated services, this forum will examine how New York Health can deliver expanded health services while reducing overall healthcare costs and provide taxpayer relief.”