The latest edition of Organic Style magazine has named Charlottesville the healthiest city in Virginia and the 26th healthiest city in the nation.
The rankings were based both on opinion and empirical evidence from "Rating Guide to Environmentally Healthy Metro Areas," a book by author Robert Weinhold, which focused on air quality and toxin release in cities. The Organic Style authors also took into account cultural aspects of each city.
Weinhold incorporated over 5,500 pieces of data into his study, examining 125 metropolitian areas. Charlottesville was rated the 10th best in the country for air quality and 42nd in terms of agricultural pollution.
Roanoke, Va. was the next Virginia city in the rankings, placed at No. 60.
Santa Fe, N.M. came in at first nationally, with Rapid City, S.D. and Grand Junction, Colo. in the second and third slots, respectively.
Organic Style, a 61-year-old publication, admittedly incorporated stereotypes of cities and regional data into their ranking system.
Charlottesville's student population greatly increases the amount of walking in the city. Furthermore, the population's reputation as a well-educated body may have affected the ratings.
Several faculty members of the University environmental sciences department said they were surprised upon hearing Charlottesville's high rank.
"We probably shouldn't rest on our laurels," Environmental Sciences Prof. Howard Epstein said. "We're going through a large development phase in Charlottesville."
Epstein also expressed concern over air pollution levels in area national parks.
Faculty members also noted that the city's relatively low population might have played a role in the ranking, as it results in less stress on the environment.
"Our agricultural land is not all used for agriculture," Environmental Sciences Prof. Deborah Lawrence said. "It's a less intense system."
City Manager Gary O'Connell said he was less surprised at Charlottesville's place, citing the many hiking trails and community planning initiatives in the area, as well as the overall lack of manufacturing.
O'Connell said he finds that local residents are concerned and interested in their health.
"It's a lifestyle issue -- people are pretty aggressive," he said. "The community is proactive to the future."
Mayor Maurice Cox also expressed satisfaction with the ranking.
"The environmentally progressive feeling is pervasive throughout the city," he said.
However, according to Organic Style, the environment is not the most important factor in assessing a healthy lifestyle.
According to Weinhold's study, a range of estimates suggest that the environment plays only about a 10 to 20 percent role in determining your health. Genetic factors, lifestyle and unique response to certain chemicals also are important to health.
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