Community takes part in Health Assessment Community Conversation 09.27.2023

September 27, 2023

Community takes part in Health Assessment Community Conversation

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department’s Health Equity Office (HEO) joined the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) on Monday to host a State Health Assessment Community Conversation. The event was in the Ben May Main Library’s Bernheim Hall in Downtown Mobile.

“I think it was a successful event,” said Lois Gwinn, who oversees the HEO program. “We had approximately 30 attendees from across Mobile County. Residents came from north Mobile County, the MOWA Choctaw Indians, and south Mobile County from Bayou La Batre.

“There was representation from interested citizens, community organizations, and healthcare agencies. The meeting was indeed a conversation with rich and passionate discussions around access to health care and the social determinants of health.”

Dr. Kevin Philip Michaels, Health Officer of Mobile County, welcomed the attendees and provided vital input on the community’s needs.

The 2023 Community Health Issues Survey is part of the State Health Assessment that ADPH utilizes to identify health issues and challenges on the county and community levels. Previously, in 2019, the survey was used to identify 14 top health concerns for Alabama. From this information, ADPH can better serve based on the highest needs.

Participation in the survey is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential. All responses will need to be completed by Nov. 30. For more information on the Community Health Issues Survey, visit https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/healthrankings/community.html.

“We encourage Mobile County residents who are 18-plus to take the State Health Assessment survey,” Ms. Gwinn said. “It should only take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Your input is needed to help identify future health care priorities.”

In 2021, the HEO was established to address health disparities in Mobile County. The HEO team is responsible for evaluating internal and external programs and policies, identifying weaknesses, and laying a foundation for serving vulnerable communities through a health equity lens.

Ms. Gwinn spoke with WALA about the survey. You may see the interview at this link — https://www.fox10tv.com/2023/09/25/mobile-county-alabama-health-departments-hosting-state-health-assessment-community-conversation.