Priority Areas
Local health departments are required to complete a Community Health Assessment (CHA) every five years. It is a process to identify the most critical things impacting the health of a local community. Our local health system, Upland Hills Health, is required to complete a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years. In a long standing commitment to work together, the Iowa County Health Department has determined it makes good sense to complete its CHNA every three years, on the same cycle as Upland Hills Health.
In 2022, Upland Hills Health, the Iowa County Health Department, along with other community partners convened to plan and implement the CHNA as well as review progress collectively made on the previous Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
Collaborating community partners include:
- Upland Hills Health Hospital and Clinics
- Iowa County Health Department
- Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Southwest Wisconsin
- Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP)
- Community Connections Free Clinic
Each three year cycle, the CHNA provides an important opportunity to review secondary data which profiles key demographic information as well as the statistical health of Iowa County via national, state and local data sources. In addition, the CHNA is a critical opportunity to gather the voices of our community through primary data collection, accomplished through a community survey to learn about residents’ concerns. Approximately 327 stakeholders contributed their responses and ideas to the community survey disseminated in 2022. Community health needs were identified and prioritized based on: available data, input from community members regarding perceived importance of health concerns, and our ability to make a significant impact.
Four priority areas were identified in the 2022-2024 Community Health Improvement Plan.
- Aging Concerns
- Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder
- Healthy Living
- Transportation
For each prioritized health area, overarching goals and community-level indicators were developed to ensure alignment and consistency across collaborative partner organizations. The plans were thoughtfully developed to leverage current community assets, mobilize partners to address the priorities, and prepare a community-wide health improvement strategic plan that provides direction for the whole community and not just a single agency. A series of in-person and virtual meetings were conducted to gather consensus on goals, objectives and strategies documented in this plan.