Residents invited to discuss health issues

Area residents are invited to share their thoughts about the major health concerns facing Shawano and Menominee counties at a meeting Tuesday with public health officials.

The Community Health Improvement Plan meeting is part of a community health assessment conducted every five years. A session also was held Monday in Tigerton.

“CHIP is the next step in the health prioritization planning process,” said Jaime Bodden, director of public health for the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department.

Residents should have plenty to discuss. In the 2014 County Health Rankings released in March, Shawano County ranked 60th and Menominee County 72nd of the state’s 72 counties.

The rankings consider 29 factors that influence health, including tobacco and alcohol use, education, unemployment rates, obesity and physical activity, and housing conditions.

Megan Suehring, a community health educator with the health department, will present data from the 2014 assessment and lead the discussion.

“Shawano County’s health ranks 60th of 72 counties. Let’s see how much we can improve,” she said.

Local health officials say the rankings and community health assessment reveal similar needs for the area, including mental and oral health services, alcohol and drug services, more physical activity and better nutrition.

Bodden said there needs to be cooperation between residents and government agencies to move forward.

“Health issues are a huge undertaking, from promoting individual behaviors and choices, changing community environments and adopting local, state and federal policies,” Bodden said. “Collective action is vital for success, and this is just one way for the public to get involved.”

Bodden hopes residents come to the meeting with a new vision for the community.

“We are looking for public input into what they feel the big health concerns are in our area and what a healthy community looks like in their eyes,” Bodden said.