Survey results are in for the Wood County Community Health Assessment

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis (WFHR, WIRI)

Now the real work begins for the community partners and residents working together to improve health in Wood County. While the results are in for the Wood County Community Health Assessment, the three entities who collected the data are still collaborating the information. The community health survey was created by the Wood County Health Department, Aspirus Riverview Hospital and Clinics, and the Marshfield Clinic Health System. All three have requirements from either the state or the IRS to complete these surveys every three or five years. The data from the surveys is used to develop and implement local health plans to address health conditions. Niki Lucht, Community Health Planner for the Wood County Health Department, said the three are working together so they’re not duplicating efforts.

Record number of responses

Niki said they set a lofty goal this year to collect over three thousand responses. They exceeded their goal with over 3,200 surveys collected between September and December last year. The data will be used to create the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). She said the CHIP is the strategic plan that guides their work for the next three years.

Top areas that need improvement

People who responded to the survey targeted mental health and substance use as some of the top areas that need improvement in the community. Niki said these big issues usually rise to the top over the last few cycles of the Community Health Assessment. However, she said there has been a shift in how the public health world and the healthcare community are looking to tackle these big issues. They’re including some of the bigger determinants of health that they maybe didn’t before These include jobs with livable wages, affordable housing, and availability and affordability of child care.

People responding to the survey included these among the top ten areas for improvement in the community. They also targeted availability and affordability of dental care and health insurance, availability of mental health providers, overweight and obesity levels, and excessive alcohol use.

How to get involved

Niki said if people are interested in following this work or want to get involved, they can visit the website for Healthy People Wood County at healthypeoplewoodcounty.org. They also have a Facebook page and Instagram Page where you can follow the results of the Community Health Assessment and see notices about how to get involved.