In 2009, the Dakota County Public Health Department worked with the
Human Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) to conduct a community health assessment, a key component of the public health quality improvement process required by the
Minnesota Department of Health.
The community health assessment will guide the work of the Public Health Department and other organizations that share the goal of protecting the public and promoting the health and safety of Dakota County residents.
As an initial step, Public Health staff developed a series of Community Health Profiles on key health concerns in the county. Staff from Public Health and the Office of Planning and Analysis presented assessment data to a range of community groups. Over the summer, members of the public were invited to complete a survey on their views of public health concerns. HSAC members analyzed the data from the Community Health Profiles and input from the community to develop three tiers of priority health issues in Dakota County. The recommendations from HSAC were approved by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners on November 17, 2009.
TIER 1: all segments of the community should be concerned about these issues:
- Obesity and chronic disease
- Access to health care
- Mental health
TIER 2: maintain situational awareness and continue current efforts:
- Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use
- Violence
- Access to dental care
- Infectious disease
TIER 3: continue to monitor trends, but few additional resources directed to these health issues:
- Health of mothers and children
- Unintentional injuries
Community Health Profiles To set the foundation for the community health assessment, Public Health staff prepared 15 Community Health Profiles in the six areas of public health responsibility:
For more information about Dakota County’s community health assessment, contact
Melanie Countryman, Epidemiologist. More information about the Minnesota Local Public Health Assessment and Planning process is available from the
Minnesota Department of Health.