In 2009, Dakota County Public Health worked with the Dakota County 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.
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. Members of the public completed a survey on their views of public health concerns. Human Services Advisory Committee 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 following recommendations from the Human Services Advisory Committee were approved by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners.
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
For more information, contact Public Health Epidemiologist Melanie Countryman at 651-554-6131.