Despite growing awareness and community partnerships, residents of Shawano and Menominee counties remain among the least healthy in the state.
Shawano and Menominee counties ranked near the bottom in the state health rankings released in March, with Shawano 60th and Menominee last at 72nd.
The rankings, prepared by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Health Institute, considered factors such as smoking, obesity, food environment, physical inactivity, access to exercise programs, excessive drinking and alcohol-impaired driving deaths.
The low rankings — not much different than last year’s rankings — did not surprise area health care professionals, who say it will take time to reverse unhealthy lifestyle choices developed over generations.
“Policy takes a long time to change,” said Jaime Bodden, director of the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department. “Once you get that community support you will see faster progression.”
Various agencies and organizations have been working over the last couple of years to garner that community support.
For example, the Community Health Action Team formed last year includes residents, health care professionals, service agencies, community organizations and law enforcement agencies. The group is focusing its education efforts in three areas: alcohol and drug abuse, obesity and physical activity, and parenting.
“We don’t just look at health rankings, we reach out to the community and looked at what people are concerned about,” said Paula Morgen, manager of community health at ThedaCare.
“CHAT and many community groups are continuing their work in AODA prevention and policy,” said Megan Suehring, community health educator for the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department. “The economic, social, mental and physical impacts of substance abuse affect the individual, family and whole community.
“Raising awareness at the local level is important in getting education, treatment and support in place.”
The University of Wisconsin-Extension office, meanwhile, has initiated new wellness programs and collaborated with other community organizations promoting physical activity and better nutrition.
“We know that we have areas in our community that need improvement,” said Nancy Schultz, University of Wisconsin-Extension family living educator for Shawano County.
Schultz has worked with the Safe Routes to School program and with Shawano Pathways.
As part of the regional Transform Wisconsin project, Safe Routes to School is committed to increasing the physical activity of students by providing them with safe and healthy opportunities to walk or bike to school.
“When we started with Safe Routes to School, it started with two schools, and now we are up to five,” Schultz said.
Similarly, Shawano Pathways is committed to increasing outdoor physical opportunities for everyone through greenways and accessible recreational trails. In September, more than 180 people participated in the first annual Bike the Barn Quilt rides.
Pathways also is working on developing Park to Park Loops, connecting trails such as the Mountain Bay Trail to several Shawano parks.
Schultz said the UW-Extension implemented a new program in January promoting strength and conditioning among adults 50 and older.
The Strong Bones Program began with 30 participants and has grown to 65. The program likely will expand into Bonduel and Gresham by fall.
“It is designed for people older than 50, but we will not deny anyone,” Schultz said.
And although it will take time, the people working to improve residents’ health and wellness are confident they can make a difference.
“We have a community that works well together,” Schultz said.
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