A recent study by Alabama State University’s Center for Leadership and Public Policy found drastic disparities in the quality of life among counties throughout Alabama and specifically those in the Black Belt.

In areas such as economy, education, healthcare and public safety, the nearly 90-page “Counties in Crisis” report found the highest quality of life in Shelby, Madison and Baldwin counties, whereas Greene, Wilcox and Dallas counties were the most economically depressed.

In the areas of unemployment, illiteracy, poverty and health risks such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes, Dallas County ranked among the worst along with Greene, Sumter, Hale, Perry, Wilcox, Macon and Bullock counties. In education and public safety ratings, Dallas County again ranked low.

Executive director for the center Thomas Vocino said education and economy are connected

“There’s a strong relationship between the quality of education and whether that country is a vibrant economy,” Vocino said. “The quality of life varies dramatically from one area of Alabama to another. It’s very much in the interest of the state as a whole to focus on public policies that can lift the poorest areas of Alabama to a position where its citizens have life chances that allow them to participate in the American Dream.”

According to the report, 24 percent of Dallas County’s population lacks in basic literacy skills.

Selma superintendent of education Dr. Don Jefferson said the facts are “very disheartening.”

“Growing up in Selma in the late 50s, 60s and 70s, the pride and self worth that African-Americans had — in some ways we’ve gotten away from the true fundamentals of life,” Jefferson said. “Education used to be at the forefront. We’ve got to put the focus back on education; there’s no way around it.

“If we’re going to change the quality of life in this area, education has got to be the vehicle,” Jefferson said.

Dallas County still ranks towards the bottom and is among the worst concerning unemployment, with a rate of 17.2 percent jobless compared to a 9.6 percent state rate, according to the study. The poverty rate in Dallas County is 30 percent compared to nearly 16 percent in the state.

While northern Alabama counties continue to do well in every area, researchers for the center show Dallas County and Selma as a “good example of many of the problems that Alabama is facing.”

Health issues such as obesity and diabetes continue to also be a concern for not only the state but also the county.

Assistant area administrator for the Dallas County Health Department Ashvin Parikh said the reason for so much disparity in health is due to lack of education and access to medical insurance.

“There are so many things,” Parikh said. “And when people don’t have jobs, what are they going to do?

Parikh said he and his staff want to bring awareness about health issues through community projects and grants from the Strategic Alliance for Health.

“Just like in Uniontown, we’re trying to open a rural health facility in Selma,” Parikh said. “Children are doing a garden in schools; we also have a walking trail. With 66 percent of Alabamians obese, to tackle obesity, do some exercise.”