What are the Health Needs of Richland and Wilkin Counties?
When health care is a concern it is typically about taking care of an illness or preventative care for an individual. Can a community look at its health care needs as a whole? In fact it can and routinely does through an annual community health care assessment done by members of the health care community under the auspice of Saint Francis Healthcare Campus. David Nelson, a member of the Rotary Club of Wahpeton, N.D. and the CEO of the Saint Francis Healthcare Campus explained the findings of the 2013 survey and the proposed subsequent action to the club’s members at their regular noon hour meeting at Prante’s on October 1st. The ultimate goal is to improve health care in the community.
Emphasizing that the results of the survey is about public expectations he explained the methodology; a web based survey. While similar surveys have been done annually now the process is driven by the Affordable Health Care Act that mandates an assessment every three years with the “Triple Aim”: to improve patient experience; to improve the health of the population and to reduce the per capita cost.
The community is regarded by its residents as a good place to live and raise a family; that residents have access to basic health care needs and nutritious food; and that the school systems are effective. They also see problems. Bullying is most common is grade 6 in this community; 62 % of students admit to texting while driving; in Richland County 20 % of students have considered suicide; 16 % in Wilkin county. The teen pregnancy rate is the same as the State average.
As far as direct health issues the respondents saw obesity and physical inactivity as the primary concern with substance abuse (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) the second. The third area of concern is mental health.
So what happens with this data? In October 2013 task forces will be established to deal with obesity with an objective of starting to implement findings in August 2014. The next focus will be alcohol and drugs.
If the public have questions or input more can be found at www.sfcare.org or people may contact Ann Trebesch the Vice-President Mission at Saint Francis. Telephone: 218-643-0403