County Health Center Survey And Meeting
Attendees to the health forum gathered in groups to discuss what strengths and weaknesses residents face for health choices.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Statistics and feedback are driving factors behind developing a plan, to provide the needed health care resources for the residents of Mahaska County.
A survey was made available to residents, who answered questions and provided feedback. That information, provided by 248 respondents, will be used to help prioritize those things that we, as a community, want to work on.
That list of priorities will make its way back to the Mahaska Health Partnership Board of Trustees, where it will be determined what portion of that list comes under the hospital, and what portions are best taken care of by outside care providers.
The data is a driving force behind developing the strategic plan, alongside the input provided by the survey, and the nearly 50 people who attended the town hall meeting.
Things like the amount of services available, and facilities at MHP, chiropractic care, hospice services, school nurses, crisis intervention services, and Blue Zones community, are among those listed as strengths for health in the community, provided by those in the meeting.
Smoking, lack of doctors, mental health, sexually transmitted diseases, obesity, poor housing quality, and alcohol consumption or alcoholism, was the list provided as negative health impacts for the community.
After completion of the meeting, Mahaska Health Partnership CEO, Jay Christensen, spoke about the good community input the hospital had received, alongside the work those in attendance at the town hall provided. “I think given the cross-section of people by age and occupation and health status, I think we had a lot of good information that’s going to help us move into our own strategic planning, and define how we’re going to be involved in improving some of the health needs of the county.”
“Our reason primarily for driving the process, is because we manage the public health department for the county,” explained Christensen. “It’s way bigger than just our [MHP] organization, it’s the entire health needs for our community that we serve.”
Chiropractic, dental and vision health professionals were in the town hall, and participated in the conversation, and Christensen said that understanding their role, but also connecting with them, will help provide for the needs of the county.
Educating about what services are available is part of the process of having a more informed public. “I think there are a lot of opportunities to increase the education on what’s available,” said Christensen.
Christensen added in closing that the people who came to the town hall, “have done a great job. I hope the community appreciates the involvement and investment of time those people have made.”
