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HANCOCK – Health surveys were mailed Nov. 13 to 8,500 randomly selected households in Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties. The surveys will be delivered Saturday and Monday in white 6 by 9 inch envelopes from Western U.P. Health department marked “important health survey enclosed.”
Local health officials urge recipients to complete the 12-page survey and return it promptly using the business reply envelope provided, or alternatively, to follow instructions to complete the survey on-line. As a token of appreciation, every household that is selected and completes the survey by Dec. 4 will be entered in a prize drawing for one of ten $50 grocery gift cards.
The health department has teamed with local hospitals and behavioral health agencies to conduct the survey as part of a regional community health needs assessment, a follow-up to a similar project in 2012.
“The goal of this survey is to produce an accurate snapshot of the health of residents of the six Western U.P. counties,” said health assessment specialist Ray Sharp.
Question topics include health insurance coverage, eating and exercise habits, tobacco and alcohol usage, chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, and use of preventive services such as flu shots and mammograms. Survey responses are anonymous.
“This 10-minute time investment has the power to make a difference, by helping us develop a clearer picture of our community strengths and challenges when it comes to health,” Sharp said.
“The unique partnership of the region’s 10 largest health care organizations gives us the resources to measure community needs in a more comprehensive and accurate manner.”
The survey is part of a larger regional community health needs assessment funded by the health department, Aspirus Grand View Hospital, Aspirus Iron County Hospital, Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital, Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital, Baraga County Memorial Hospital, Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center, U.P. Health System-Portage, Copper Country Community Mental Health Services, and Gogebic County Community Mental Health Authority.
Survey results will be used along with data gathered from other sources to produce a comprehensive community health needs report. This report will be made widely available early next year.
