Every year, the American College of Sports Medicine ranks metropolitan areas on preventative health behaviors, chronic disease levels, health care access and community resources that support physical fitness – not unlike a yearly physical for cities.

A picture of the hazy city of Milwaukee from Veteran’s Park from Shutterstock

And here in Brew City, we improved. Last year, we ranked 30th with a score of 46.8. This year, we ranked 26th with a score of 51.2. We edged out Chicago (50.8) and fell just behind Philadelphia (51.2). (Rounding makes it look like there are ties, but the report assures us there are not.)

In the categorical rankings, we ranked 18th on personal health indicators (health behaviors, chronic health conditions and health care access) and 34th on community/environmental indicators (built environment, recreational facilities, park-related expenditures, physical education requirements and primary health care providers).

Taking a cue from our friends at Philly.com, we culled 10 interesting facts from Milwaukee’s score.

Areas of excellence

There are 28.2 farmers markets per 1 million people. Goal: 13.1.

There are 107.1 primary health care providers per 100,000 people. Goal: 105.6.

There are 1.6 golf courses per 100,000 people. Goal: 0.8.

Areas that need improvement

The percent of people who are obese: 27.4. Goal: 21.3.

The percent of people who are in excellent or very good health: 54.7. Goal: 61.

There are 1.6 park units per 10,000 people. Goal: 4.1.

The percent of people who performed some type of physical activity in the last 30 days: 74.4. Goal: 82.6.

There are 1.4 swimming pools per 100,000 people. Goal: 3.1.

The percent of people who eat five or more servings of fruit/vegetables per day: 22.9. Goal: 29.

The percent of people who smoke: 23.5. Goal: 13.1.