Lincoln County Health Department, along with their partners, are inviting the public to participate in the development of a three year community health plan for Lincoln County. This community health plan will set strategies to address health challenges in our communities.
The process for developing the community health plan kicked off last summer when the public was asked to complete a community health opinion survey. Over 689 community members completed the survey either online or in-person. Results of the survey showed the public’s greatest health concerns to be alcohol and drug abuse, mental health and overweight and obesity. In August, partners from various sectors of the community met to review county health data and community health opinion survey results. There was also discussion on community strengths, assets, barriers and opportunities for improvement. At the end of the meeting, participants were asked to identify top health priorities for Lincoln County. Alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, nutrition and healthy foods and oral health were selected.
The next step in this process is community action planning. Lincoln County Health Department is inviting the public to join local coalitions to participate in workgroups for the selected health priorities of alcohol and drug abuse, mental health, nutrition and healthy foods and oral health. “You can be a part of making a difference to the residents of Lincoln County,” said Shelley Hersil, Health Officer and Director of Lincoln County Health Department. “Collaborating is critical in taking action on making healthy changes to our community and improving the health of all residents.”
Workgroups will meet 2-3 times starting in December to look at health data, resources, policies, best practices, and competing needs. Strategies from state and national health improvement plans will also be reviewed. Workgroups will use this information to develop action plans for each health priority. Completed action plans will be included in the Lincoln County Community Health Improvement Plan, which will provide a three year road map on what action we are going to take as a community to address these health issues. The completed community health plan will be shared with the public next year.
If you are interested in serving on a workgroup and or want to be a member of a community coalition, please contact Shelley Hersil, Health Officer/Director, Lincoln County Health Department, 715-539-1360 or [email protected]. For more information about Lincoln County Health Department’s programs and services, visit lincolncountyhealthdepartment.com or find us on Facebook. Lincoln County Health Department is always working for a safer and healthier Lincoln County.