Introduction
Welcome to the stakeholder meeting of the Quad City Health Initiative. In this meeting, we will be discussing the results and findings from the 2021 Community Health Assessment. This assessment plays a vital role in understanding the health status of the Quad Cities community and shaping future health improvement plans.
Background
The Quad City community is a vibrant, diverse, and collaborative community with engaged citizens. The vision for the community is to have safe thriving neighborhoods, equitable and inclusive access to opportunities for overall health and social well-being. The Community Health Assessment process provides essential information to achieve this vision.
Collaborative Effort
The assessment is a collaborative effort that engages health partners in the Quad Cities area. It involves ongoing coordination and discussion to gather and share information about the community’s health status. The steering committee extends its sincere thanks to everyone involved in this collaborative process.
Priority Areas and Progress
The 2018 assessment identified three priority areas: mental health, nutrition, physical activity and weight, and access to healthcare. Since then, significant progress has been made in these areas. Telehealth services have expanded for behavioral health, new staff positions have been created to address mental health issues, and new programs and coalitions have been developed to advance behavioral health in the community. In terms of nutrition, physical activity, and weight, efforts have been made to educate and promote healthy lifestyles, support policy changes, and provide resources to connect people to healthy living options. Access to healthcare has also improved with the development of new facilities, resources, referral connections, and innovative ways of delivering care.
Assessment Methodology
The assessment methodology involves conducting a community health survey and gathering secondary data from national and state sources. The community health survey collects information about the health status, experiences, and behaviors of individuals living in the Quad Cities area. Quantitative data from provider organizations and qualitative data from focus groups are also included in the assessment.
Community Engagement
Community input is crucial in guiding the assessment process and prioritizing health issues. The stakeholder committee, consisting of community members, plays a significant role in identifying opportunities and providing input throughout the assessment cycle. Their valuable input helps in shaping the assessment and understanding the needs of the broader community.
Key Findings
The assessment findings provide insightful information about the health status of the Quad Cities community. The senior vice president of community health at PRC, Bruce Lockwood, shares some of the key findings:
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The importance of current data: The collected data is recent and provides an up-to-date understanding of the community’s health.
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Secondary data analysis: Existing secondary data, such as census data and public health data, is reviewed to gain insights into the community’s health.
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Provider data analysis: Local provider data is examined to understand hospital admissions and the reasons behind them.
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Customized local health survey: A comprehensive survey is conducted through phone interviews to gather information about health status, experiences, and behaviors.
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Representative sampling: Over 1100 surveys are conducted throughout the community, proportionate to the population distribution. Special efforts are made to include underrepresented communities.
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Trends and benchmarking: The assessment utilizes trends from previous assessments to provide context to health indicators. Benchmarking with national and state data helps in understanding the community’s health compared to others.
Conclusion
The Rock Island County Assessment plays a crucial role in understanding the health status of the Quad Cities community. The collaborative effort and engagement of stakeholders ensure that the assessment accurately reflects the community’s needs and guides future health improvement plans. The assessment findings provide valuable insights to address health issues and create a healthier and more vibrant community.
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