At the July 18, 2011 meeting, the Peoria County Board of Health adopted the Peoria County Community Health Improvement Plan for 2010-2015. This report identifies four priority community health issues that need to be addressed to improve population health in Peoria County. The identified priority strategic community health issues include: obesity, oral health, reproductive health, and community health system integration.
The Peoria City/County Health Department initiated this community health improvement strategic planning effort with collaborative partners and key stakeholders to assure that the strategic document is accepted and implemented by the community. The health needs assessment process was guided by a local steering committee representing Peoria County’s system of medical providers, social service agencies, civic organizations, elected officials, and local health department staff.
Peoria City/County Health Department Administrator Greg Chance states, “The adoption of this plan is the first step toward improving the health and well-being of community residents. The next step is the much anticipated identification of strategies to actually implement the plan. We have identified best practices and model programs to address identified health issues. We now need to challenge community stakeholders to embrace and organize methods to implement this plan in their businesses, their communities, and in their personal lives.”
The plan includes the strategic priority community health issues, interventions to address these issues, and evaluation measures of progress. Chance adds, “The next phase of the plan includes the creation of a new committee of community stakeholders to develop a brand for the plan and a strategy to implement that plan. The challenge lies in engaging the whole community and I have confidence that the community will participate in improving the health of Peoria County residents.”
For more information about the Community Health Improvement Plan for Peoria County call 309-679-6090. To view the completed assessments or for more information on other public health issues, visit www.pcchd.org.