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Washington County completes community health improvement plan

While nearly 120 survey responders in Washington County said access to mental health services was a “top five barrier to health” in the community, less than 60 said it was a problem for themself or their own families. The most frequently cited barrier to respondents’ own health was “personal choice.” (Graph courtesy of Washington County Public Health)

WASHINGTON — Public health officials have finalized a Community Health Improvement plan based on the results of a survey which drew over 200 responses from Washington County residents.

The report offers more details about the survey’s findings, and adds contexts from myriad other sources. It also offers suggested strategies to deal with the top three areas for improvement identified by community members.

Washington County Public Health Director Emily Tokheim said the full report would be posted on the agency’s website by the end of the week. The document is also available in the online version of this article.

Mental and behavioral well-being

A ribbon-cutting in 2020, at the Grace C. Mae Advocate Center in Washington in honor of the mental health clinic’s 10th anniversary. Health experts in Washington County say mental health resources have expanded drastically in the area, but that many residents don’t know what’s available. (Photo submitted)

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Mental health issues were cited as the top concern of community members who took the survey, repeating the topic’s spotlight position in the last survey, completed in 2015.

The report said over half of people in the U.S. with a mental health condition did not receive treatment for it in the last year, and said 68% of Washington County respondents identified mental health as one of the area’s top needs.

“While access to mental health care has significantly improved in recent years … mental health status of community members remains a top concern in Washington County and the State of Iowa,” the report said. “The average number of poor mental health days for adults in Washington County is 4.2 out of 30.”

The county’s suggested strategies aim to address both the need for care and for community awareness of options. The list includes distributing pamphlets with county-specific mental health resources, hosting more events with the Washington County Mental Health Coalition, collaborating Employee Assistance Programs with local businesses, and planning a topical event specifically for farmers.

Healthy eating and active living

Participants manage the breath control to keep a conversation going during an aquatic workout at the YMCA's indoor pool. Many say the exercise is not only a physical, but a social benefit. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

Participants manage the breath control to keep a conversation going during an aquatic workout at the YMCA’s indoor pool in Washington. The CHA-CHIP report said Washington County residents understood the benefits exercise, but often struggled to do it. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

The second priority identified by the county was a combination of healthy eating and active living. The report said less than 60% of Iowans ate at least one fruit per day, even fewer ate a vegetable. It added that nearly two in five adults in Washington County are obese.

The impact is obvious, according to the report, which said “The benefits of eating well and remaining active … are well-known: live a longer life, lower the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and some cancers, achieve and maintain a healthy weights, support muscles and strengthen bones, and supporting healthy growth in children.”

Still, 27% of individuals in Washington County said “personal choice” was the number one barrier stopping them from being healthy.

That could complicate efforts to help residents. The report identified several strategies, however, including partnership with the YMCA, establishing community gardens, hosting online cooking demonstrations and mapping designated walking paths near business districts where people work.

“It is increasingly important that we aim to make the healthy choice the easy choice in our community through accessible physical activity options and increasing the availability of balanced meals,” the report said.

Strengthening relationships

Volunteers prepare meals to be delivered to healthcare workers in Washington. (Caitlin Yamada/ The Union)

Union photo of volunteers preparing meals for health care workers in Washington. The CHA-CHIP report said establishing a volunteer network could be a step toward improving Washington County’s “Social Connectedness.”

The third major goal identified by health officials after the survey was boosting Washington County’s “social connectedness,” defined in the report as “the degree to which people have and perceive a desired number, quality, and diversity of relationships” to feel a sense of belonging.

The report found social support was “lacking but strongly desired” among Washington County residents. While it may seem unrelated to more traditional public health topics, officials said such connections had a profound effect on life spans, quality of life, and recovery from stress, anxiety, depression or violent behavior.

The list of goals identified by the county were diverse, including establishment of a volunteer network, a program to assist older adults with snow removal, partnerships with schools, and increased attention to support groups.

“Undoubtedly one of the largest challenges (of COVID-19) that we are still seeing the effects of today was social isolation,” the report said. “The feeling of community belonging and supportive connections to our neighbors helps communities thrive … we now have an opportunity to rebuild these social connections that were lost through community programming, social support groups, and education.”

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