Study, survey point out Black Hawk County health needs
But those takeaways just skim the surface of a new community health needs assessment conducted by the county health department and local care providers looking for ways to improve the health of
"Overall we captured what we already sensed," said public health director
The county
They mined data sets to compare
The stakeholders identified poverty, education, health behaviors and mental health and trauma as local priorities based on the assessment. But they are seeking more community input before using the information to develop a plan to address the shortfalls over the next three years.
"It's just looking at what interventions we may need to put in place,"
She said the board and care providers are working together on both the assessment and improvement plan.
"We realized that if we don't (work in unison) it could have a more negative impact in terms of how we serve our community,"
The group also kept in mind a 2018 article by 24/
"We've been very intentional during this process about getting data from marginalized groups,"
Surveys were sought through local churches with
The department is now looking for more community input on the assessment, which can be viewed on the department's website at www.co.black-hawk.ia.us/258/Health-Department. A short survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/r/t3hzdn2.
The following were among some of the assessment's findings:
* The community felt alcohol and drug use were the top risky behaviors for adults, followed by physical inactivity and using a cell phone while driving.
* The community thought obesity and mental health were top local health problems, followed by diabetes and aging.
* Some 6.6 percent of respondents reported struggling with mental health issues without receiving help.
* African Americans represented three out of every four respondents lacking health insurance.
*
* The violent crime rate is higher in
Preliminary results of the 2020 Health Needs Assessment:
___
(c)2020 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa)
Visit Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) at www.wcfcourier.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
PG&E settles with FEMA over billions in wildfire claims, avoiding bankruptcy fight
Coronavirus update: No Yakima cases, health insurance options, school meals
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News