The State of South Dakota has recently revitalized its State Health Improvement Plan after it was put on hold during the pandemic. Health organizations and communities have shared their results with the Department of Health for the newly published comprehensive State Health Assessment. Mariah Pokorny, the deputy division director at the Department of Health, stated that this effort is aimed at better informing the state health system.
The assessment covers various health fields and includes data and insights from priority health indicator assessments, community conversations, and key informant interviews. This information is made available to partners and programs to support data-driven efforts in South Dakota. Pokorny highlighted the importance of gathering input from healthcare providers on the ground to identify successful approaches that could be implemented in other communities. She mentioned that the assessment serves as a backbone to inform and identify areas such as capacity and training needs.
Individuals interested in accessing the assessment documents can find a link on the Department of Health’s website. The collaboration and data-driven strategies outlined in the State Health Improvement Plan aim to strengthen the state’s health system and address health issues more effectively. By working together and leveraging insights from healthcare providers, South Dakota hopes to make strides in improving public health outcomes across the state.
