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TOP HEALTH PRIORITIES

 

Our survey sought to obtain from participants their opinion on specific priorities that affect health in our communities by ranking a list from 1 to 10 with 1 being the most important and 10 the least important. Our survey also provided participants with the opportunity to provide input on other items not identified in the list which they believe should be a priority. To calculate an overall average of participants’ rankings, each category was averaged, and the results gave an ascending rank. The lowest average was given the most important ranking (1) and the highest average was the least important ranking (10).

It is important to recognize that belief or opinion that a particular category should have a higher priority does not necessarily necessitate action. For example, a community that prioritizes good schools as very important and is the number one ranked school system in the country may be reflective of the successes already accomplished in that community and does not necessarily indicate a need for further action or planning. This achievement, however, does not preclude a community from taking further action to continue to maintain and/or improve on successes already recognized in a particular category. It is important however to investigate each category carefully to identify potential categories that may have a lower priority ranking but have the potential for a significant impact on the health status of the community.

Ranking

Carroll County

In Carroll County, clean air and water were ranked the most important with nearly a 2-point variance when compared with the next highest-ranked priority, good schools. For the “other” items identified by respondents, a list has been included of those items mentioned once unless otherwise specified.

Category Rank Avg
Clean air and water 1 2.3
Good schools 2 4.0
Safe neighborhoods 3 4.5
Access to healthy foods 4 5.1
Good jobs & healthy economy 5 5.1
Access to healthcare 6 5.2
Smoke free communities 7 5.8
Public transportation 8 6.0
Access to physical exercise opportunities 9 6.5
Other: Obesity, Caretaker education/support, Affordable dental care, Winter programs for teens, Drug prevalence, Education on LHD services (2), Vaccines for private ins (2), Food assist for work family, Do away with needle exchange (3), Provide services to citizens only, Drug rehabilitation 10 9.6

Gallatin County

In Gallatin County, clean air and water were ranked the most important with a 1-point variance when compared with the next highest ranked priority, good schools. For the “other” items identified by respondents, a list has been included of those items mentioned once unless otherwise specified.

Category Rank Avg
Clean air and water 1 2.0
Good schools 2 3.0
Access to healthy foods 3 3.3
Safe neighborhoods 4 3.3
Good jobs & healthy economy 5 3.9
Access to healthcare 6 4.2
Smoke free communities 7 4.4
Access to physical exercise opportunities 8 4.4
Public transportation 9 5.2
Other: Housing rehab, Access to mental healthcare, Drug treatment court ordered, Birth-control through LHD, Awareness of LHD, Information on healthcare access, Preventive medical care 10 8.2

Owen County

In Owen County, clean air and water were ranked the most important with more than a 1.5-point variance when compared with the next highest-ranked priority, good schools. For the “other” items identified by respondents, a list has been included of those items mentioned once unless otherwise specified.

Category Rank Avg
Clean air and water 1 2.6
Good schools 2 4.3
Access to healthcare 3 4.6
Access to healthy foods 4 4.6
Good jobs & healthy economy 5 4.9
Safe neighborhoods 6 4.9
Smoke free communities 7 6.1
Public transportation 8 6.2
Access to physical exercise opportunities 9 6.8
Other: Home health provided by LHD 10 9.8

Pendleton County

In Pendleton County, clean air and water were ranked the most important with more than a 1-point variance when compared with the next highest-ranked priority, good schools. For the “other” items identified by respondents, a list has been included of those items mentioned once unless otherwise specified.

Category Rank Avg
Clean air and water 1 2.2
Good schools 2 3.4
Safe neighborhoods 3 3.9
Access to healthy foods 4 4.0
Good jobs & healthy economy 5 4.2
Access to healthcare 6 4.3
Access to physical exercise opportunities 7 5.4
Smoke free communities 8 5.5
Public transportation 9 5.5
Other: Recreation center for children (2), Drug rehab treatment (4), Full-time ambulance coverage, Full-time fire dept. coverage, More jobs, Affordable grocery stores, ER open and staffed 24x7, ED on LHD services, Eliminate needle exchange, Unlimited Wi-FI/internet, Increase medical field applicants, Dental care access, Hearing aid access 10 9.1