Pasadena Ranked 7th Healthiest Place to Live in U.S.

A new report from an analyst firm ranks Pasadena as the seventh healthiest place to live in the United States.

The report from Niche looks at data from the U.S. Census and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention, taking into account factors such as rates of smoking, alcohol abuse, and obesity, along with access to health care and fitness centers.

“Living in Pasadena offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their home. There are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks,” the report summarized. “The public schools in Pasadena are above average.”

“We’re proud to be listed in the top 10,” city spokesman Lisa Derderian said. “We partner with our community to enhance the health and welfare of our residents and businesses. We pride ourselves on our collaboration with a significant number of nonprofits that reside in our city who assist or local demographics.”

Visitors may quickly notice the vast network of bicycle lanes and parks.

The city offers numerous programs, services and classes for residents, Derderian said. The city is recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a “Tree City USA.”

Having its own municipal health department allows Pasadena more opportunities for specialized health programs, such as the city’s aggressive Tobacco Control Program, which has banned smoking in most public areas, and the Black Infant Health Program, which pays special attention to the social, economic and racial stresses faced by Black mothers and their babies.

Other services provided by the Pasadena Public Health Department range from providing help with getting insurance to mental health services and substance abuse treatment.

The Niche Healthiest Cities in America listing is designed to provide “a comprehensive assessment of the general levels of health among residents in an area,” the company said in a written statement

Criteria examined include physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, excessive drinking, access to doctors, access to mental health care providers, the uninsured rate, access to recreational or fitness facilities, drug-related deaths and premature deaths.

The full report can be viewed online at www.niche.com/places-to-live/search/healthiest-cities/.