2023 Community Health Assessment Released!
Each year the County Health Rankings are published through the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps program from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The County Health Rankings measures the health of almost every county in the country. The data for each county is organized into the Health Rankings Model. This model shows the many factors of a community’s health that, with improvement, can make the community a healthier place to live, work, and learn. In the model, the current health status of a community is described as health outcomes. These outcomes are ranked by the length of life and the quality of life. The rates of premature death and chronic disease help to determine those rankings. The health outcomes are influenced by the community’s health factors. These factors are ranked based on different health behaviors, clinical care, and social, economic, and physical environment measures. There are a wide range of policies and procedures that impact the health factors of a community. Some target specific behaviors while others take on larger systems or structures. There is no one policy or procedure that can ensure everyone will be healthier. Amendments to existing procedures or entirely new ones must be created to establish an overall healthier community. The County Health Rankings model shows us that the policies and programs play an important role in influencing the health factors, which in turn influence the health outcomes of a community (1).
(1) County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. www.countyhealthrankings.org