Did you know that Sangamon County ranks third in the state for clinical care (because of the concentration of doctors, hospitals and medical facilities)? Yet the county also ranks 81^st out of 102 counties in the 2014 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. How can that be?
According to Dr. David Steward, SIU’s associate dean and director of the office of community health and service, many elements can affect the health of the population, such as exercise, availability of healthy food, crime, education, tobacco, alcohol and drug use and income levels.
What can you do to improve Sangamon County’s health care?
Memorial, St. John’s and the Sangamon County Health Department are working together to conduct a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment in Sangamon County. Information on local needs will be gathered through forums and surveys. SIU School of Medicine and the University of Illinois Springfield are providing technical support.
Community residents are invited to provide input and discuss the county’s health needs during the process. Please join us for one of the following forums:
Wednesday, October 8 from 6:30-8 pm at the Auburn Community Center
Thursday, October 9 from 6-7:30 at Lanphier High School
You can also share your opinions and ideas via the online survey at go.uis.edusangamonhealth through Oct. 17.
-rb