Earlier this week, the Shawano-Menominee Counties Health Department revealed its findings of two Community Health Improvement (CHIP) meetings held in September.
Shawano County was ranked 60th among 72 counties in Wisconsin, while Menominee was last in the March release of the Wisconsin County Health Rankings. The County Health Rankings were compiled by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and examined factors related to health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors and physical environment.
Social and economic factors related to education level, employment, income, family and social supports and community safety factored in at 40 percent.
“The theme of poverty was evident in both community meetings, and we are fortunate to live in a county that is looking to address this,” said Community Health Educator Megan Suehring.
Suehring said there is some movement from the Healthy Families Coalition of Shawano County to form a resource center.
Health behaviors, including tobacco use, diet and exercise, alcohol use and unsafe sex were coupled with clinical care factors, such as access to care and quality of care, to account for 50 percent of the health rankings.
Along with the Shawano County University of Wisconsin-Extension office, area nonprofit agencies have worked to encourage more exercise and healthy food choices.
Shawano Pathways unveiled the new Park to Park Loops in May, which combines five city parks utilizing trails.
Attendees at both meetings praised the Shawano County Parks Department and Shawano Park and Recreation Department for their efforts to encourage exercise.
Another concern was related to alcohol abuse in Shawano County, according to the summary.
The March rankings revealed Shawano County was above the state average in binge drinking and drug use from 2006-12, at 27 percent, compared to Wisconsin’s 24 percent. Menominee County remained below the average at 20 percent.
“I believe that people are understanding the County Health Rankings model and noticing that the health of our counties is dependent on much more than diet and exercise,” Suehring said.
Another area of concern was accessibility of mental health services to treat depression and other mental illnesses.
The Department of Community Programs offers services related to mental health care, alcohol treatment and adolescent development. It also has a 24-hour crisis line and offers counseling services and skills coaching.
Community programs has a sliding fee scale for individuals without insurance, with rates based on income and household size.
“We don’t turn anyone away from Community Programs who seek services … individuals can call for themselves or for a loved one,” said Jennifer Frost, intervention services supervisor. “It is walking them through to make them safe.”
The two CHIP meetings were part of a five-year community health assessment outlining multiple areas related to health and wellness of county residents.
One meeting was held at the Shawano County Courthouse on Sept. 23. Public health officials opted to add an additional community meeting during this assessment, holding an earlier forum at Tigerton High School on Sept. 15.
Suehring coordinated both meetings and said she was pleased with the health department’s role in extending its outreach.
“I feel the health department did a good job of reaching beyond the city of Shawano to see what the needs of our residents are,” Suehring said. “I’m happy to see that meeting attendees think that our community is supportive and shows interest.”
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