Community Health Assessment & Improvement

Community Health Assessment

The purpose of a community health assessment is to learn about the community: the health of the population, contributing factors to higher health risks or poorer health outcomes of identified populations, and community resources available to improve the health status. A community health assessment describes the health of the population, and identifies areas for health improvement, contributing factors that impact health outcomes, and community assets and resources that can be mobilized to improve population health.

A community health assessment is a collaborative process of collecting and analyzing data for use in educating and mobilizing communities, identifying priorities, garnering resources or using resources in different ways, adopting or revising policies, and planning actions to improve the population’s health. The development of a community health assessment involves the systematic collection and analysis of data to provide a sound basis for decision-making and action. Community health assessments are conducted in partnership with other organizations and members of the community and include information on demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, quality of life, community resources, behavioral factors, the environment (including the built environment), morbidity and mortality, and other social determinants of health.

2019 Calumet County High School Student Youth Risk Behavior Report (PDF) 
2019 Calumet County Middle School Student Youth Risk Behavior Report (PDF)
2019 FVCHIC Press Release Community Health Survey (PDF) 
2019 FVCHIC Press Release Community Health Survey- Spanish (PDF)

Community Health Improvement Plan

A Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is a long-term, systematic plan to address community health issues. The plan is based on the results of assessment activities and the community health improvement planning process. The plan is used to set priorities and coordinate and target resources. A CHIP is critical for developing policies and defining actions to promote community health. It defines the vision for the health of the community.

Healthiest Calumet County

The Healthiest Calumet County Steering Committee was established in 2012. The Healthiest Calumet County Steering Committee consists of representatives from public health, local health care agencies, schools, businesses, and the community working together to help achieve the vision of " Everyone Living Better, Longer." The mission of the Healthiest Calumet County community health improvement initiative is to create and promote an environment that encourages health, safe and resilient individuals, families, and communities.

View more details on Healthiest Calumet County's two current community coalitions: REACH and U-CAN.

Healthiest Calumet County also prioritizes mental health as a focus area. The goal is to improve mental health and prevent suicide by developing protective factors and building emotional resilience. Both U-CAN and REACH incorporate the promotion of positive mental health into their action plans. In addition, Calumet County is a partner in several regional initiatives to improve mental health. For more information on efforts to promote positive mental health, email the Health Division or call 920-849-1432.