In 2011 Richland County conducted a community health assessment to measure and address health status of Richland County residents. In response to this assessment the Richland County Health Department convened community stakeholders and leadership to develop the county’s first community health improvement plan (CHIP).
Twenty-nine area nonprofits, agencies, government and educational stakeholders partnered in the development of the plan, which is the first of its kind in Richland County. Interim Health Commissioner Martin Tremmel was impressed by the community collaboration, “I’ve never worked with a community where there were less turf struggles. Business, non-profits and government are working together so well here.”
The vision of the CHIP: “To create an engaged community building on systems and programs that improve and promote health, maximizing existing resources to educate the public about health and wellness challenges and opportunities.”
The CHIP was created using data derived from the Richland County Health Assessment conducted in 2011. This county-wide assessment utilized a variety of collection methods including surveys to ascertain the health and wellbeing of Richland County residents. Some of the results were startling.
Seventy-three percent of Richland County adults were overweight, with 38 percent classified as obese. The national average obesity rate is 28 percent, making Richland County 10 percent worse. Fourteen percent of youth (6th-12th grade) were identified as obese, which is 2 percent above the national average of 12 percent.
Also, 19 percent of Richland County adults are depressed, with 13 perdent having contemplated suicide. The county’s suicide rate is a point higher than average and has been on a steadily increasing pattern since 2000. Among youth, six percent attempted suicide. The top three risk factors for teen suicide are: depression, alcohol abuse, and aggressive of disruptive behaviors.
Another statistical outlier that caused the group some alarm were the numbers related to onset of risky behavior in youth. The average age of onset was much lower in Richland County compared to national averages. For youth who smoke onset was at 11.2 years of age; for those who are sexually active onset was 13.7 years of age; and onset of drinking was 12.5 years of age. It is important to note that although onset was early in Richland County the pervasiveness of these risky behaviors is in line with national averages.
In response to this and other data three issues were identified as the top priority for Richland County:
1) Decrease obesity among adults, youth, and children.
2) Increase access and awareness to mental health services and decrease violence and bullying.
3) Decrease adult and youth risky behaviors.
These priorities will require significant efforts to achieve lasting change in individuals and the community. According to Amy Schmidt, Director of Nursing at the Richland County Health Department, “The CHIP will be executed by the partners and the community.”
While there is no funding for the CHIP itself, many of the stakeholder groups will be able to execute related programs within their existing budgets. According to Tremmel education and awareness are key; “We know from our experiences with the tobacco settlement that education works. When [anti] smoking programs ceased with the loss of settlement dollars, teen smoking increased.”
The efforts of the Richland County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board (MH&RS) will be integral to the execution of the CHIP. This organization strives to help people understand that recovery from mental illness and addiction is possible as well as focusing on awareness and prevention. They host forums, provide speakers for community and educational events and participate in awareness campaigns.
To address the issues of risky behavior, mental health professionals are partnering with Mansfield City Schools to work directly with high needs youth, this is possible thanks to a grant through the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation. Also, law enforcement personnel are being trained in Crisis Intervention Team Training through the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Leadership at the health department and MH&RS urged the public to get involved. “Anyone can get involved,” said Schmidt, “People can engage with the partner agencies or civic groups can plan their own initiatives.”
For more information from the Richland County Health Department visit http://www.richlandhealth.org/ and for information about mental health services http://richlandmentalhealth.com/
“Anyone can get involved,” said Director of Nursing Amy Schmidt, “People can engage with the partner agencies or civic groups can plan their own initiatives.”
