In Michigan, the Ottawa Department of Public Health (ODPH) recently released the findings of the county’s 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The purpose of the CHNA is to gather information from various research studies conducted every three years to assess the health status of the county.
Over 1,500 adults, including community members and health experts, were interviewed for the assessment, according to the county health department. The results showed that Ottawa County is among the top-performing counties in the U.S. in terms of quality of life and longevity. Some positive takeaways from the assessment include a decrease in the percentage of adults without health insurance, a reduction in obesity rates, and an increase in the number of women over 40 receiving mammograms.
However, there are also areas of concern highlighted in the assessment. Mental health challenges such as anxiety, distress, and depression were identified as a major issue. Additionally, lack of access to healthcare for individuals with limited or no insurance was also highlighted as a significant concern. Worsening chronic disease and physical health was another area of concern mentioned in the assessment. There were also concerns regarding affordable childcare and housing brought up by residents during interviews.
The assessment also revealed an increase in cannabis use, vaping, and binge drinking among county residents which highlights that education on substance abuse prevention should be incorporated into public health policies. Dr. Jack R. Roossien Jr., MD emphasized
