Monday, July 26, 2010

The Buck Starts with You

The “Buck Starts Here” for Poweshiek County public health funding. That really means the first step in distributing public dollars for health care is assessing the needs of county residents.

In the healthcare world, we make assessments on a regular basis to gather valuable information from key players who have a stake. So, when it comes to prioritizing healthcare barriers and issues in Poweshiek County, who better to ask than county residents?

Feedback from local residents helps focus our county’s energies and resources on healthcare issues that apply to our residents. This feedback is gathered through a Community Health Needs Assessment. The survey is part of a mandate by the Iowa Department of Public Health for all counties to complete an assessment every five years. The IDPH understands the notion that health issues are owned by the community, not the government or a special sector of the community. Hence, the IDPH asks all counties to complete an assessment of their county, identify the health issues, and develop a health improvement plan customized to their residents. In Poweshiek County, the board of health works with Grinnell Regional Public Health to gather feedback needed to take on issues that we face locally

Those of you who read my column are passionate about healthcare. We invite you (if you live in Poweshiek County) to participate in the Grinnell Regional Public Health assessment survey. Take the survey and voice your opinions about health in the county.

We all have a say in making changes. And when residents voice their concerns, they take ownership in the issue and solutions. Take a stand on where the local healthcare dollars are directed.

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