Beyond Health recognizes that including future health considerations into planning efforts now is a critical step in ensuring equitable health in Brown County. An intentional focus on the root causes of health is critical for the success of Brown County as a place to live and work.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calls out the following conditions in communities, known as the social determinants of health, which are impactful on the health of communities:

• Healthcare access and quality
• Education access and quality
• Social and community context
• Economic stability
• Neighborhood and built environment

Advocacy aimed at improving these conditions has been identified as a priority within this Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).  Beyond Health puts an importance on formally acknowledging the importance of investing in health within key community initiatives. Integrating health into key community documents such as comprehensive plans, strategic planning documents, and visioning initiatives is an identified opportunity to bring positive change for the health of Brown County.

One such example is the prioritization of broadband infrastructure development and access.  To consider a parallel example, significant infrastructure development and resource prioritization was needed in order to bring electricity to rural communities across the United States in the 1930s.  The Rural Electrification Act of 1936 was adopted for just this purpose.  A modern day example of gaps in equitable access could be widespread affordable broadband access.  Beyond Health is committed to exploring opportunities to support these ongoing efforts.

Other emerging issues could be the opioid/fentanyl crisis in Brown County, housing and transportation concerns, and more.  This CHIP-linked strategy work will advocate for and raise awareness for impactful public health programming, policies, and equitable resource distribution linked to new and expanding community initiatives.

To share additional community work that aligns with these efforts or to get involved, please contact David Lally at David.Lally@hshs.org.