2017 Community Health Improvement Plan

Why Is This Important?

A decrease in chronic disease and an increase in healthy lifestyle behaviors is essential to a healthy community. Chronic disease and a healthy lifestyle can often be viewed as having an inverse relationship and the rise of healthy lifestyle education and application within a community could result in a decrease of chronic disease (obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer). Results from the Community Health Survey demonstrated that chronic disease continues to be a top priority among survey respondents. Results from the CHA also indicated a need for improvement when compared to the state and national benchmarks in chronic diseases and healthy behaviors. Both Macomb County residents and supporting data confirms that chronic disease and a healthy lifestyle continue to be a major health concern for Macomb County.

Strategy

During our first year, we will focus primarily on increasing physical activity with youth and seniors in our community.

We will address physical activity with youth by working with schools to implement Fuel Up To Play 60 (FUTP60).  FUTP60 is the nation’s largest in-school health and wellness program, created by the National Dairy Council and National Football League in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This free program offers funding opportunities for schools and an online Playbook full of school-tested action strategies to improve healthy eating and physical activity at schools and beyond. FUTP60 empowers students, with the support of adults, to take the lead in making healthy changes and to have a positive impact in their communities. Over 73,000 schools are involved, and 38 million students have been reached through the program nationwide. FUTP60 is currently active in some of Macomb County's schools, and through this partnership, we hope to engage more schools in Macomb County to make a measurable impact on physical activity levels of students. For more information on FUTP60, you can visit https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/

We will address physical activity with seniors by first identifying the needs of those who live, work and play in Macomb County.  Our first plan of action is to reach out to our senior community members and have conversations with them about their needs and wants.  Then we will work with our local senior centers, community centers, faith based organizations, and parks/recreation partners to identify the best ways to increase activity and engage our senior community.  

Lastly, be on the lookout for a centralized resource to share physical activity opportunities, physical activity resources, and local maps and events on ways to promote health and reduce chronic disease risk.  

Partners

Macomb County Health Department

Henry Ford Health System

Oakland County Health Department

Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC)

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development

Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD)

Ascension

Good Shepherd Coalition

Beaumont Health System

Why Is This Important?

A decrease in chronic disease and an increase in healthy lifestyle behaviors is essential to a healthy community. Chronic disease and a healthy lifestyle can often be viewed as having an inverse relationship and the rise of healthy lifestyle education and application within a community could result in a decrease of chronic disease (obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer). Results from the Community Health Survey demonstrated that chronic disease continues to be a top priority amongst survey respondents. Results from the CHA also indicated a need for improvement when compared to the state and national benchmarks in chronic diseases and healthy behaviors. Both Macomb County residents and supporting data confirms that chronic disease and a healthy lifestyle continue to be a major health concern for Macomb County.

Strategy

During our first year, we will focus primarily on increasing physical activity within our community.

We will address physical activity with youth by working with schools to implement Fuel Up To Play 60 (FUTP60).  FUTP60 is the nation’s largest in-school health and wellness program, created by the National Dairy Council and National Football League in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This free program offers funding opportunities for schools and an online Playbook full of school-tested action strategies to improve healthy eating and physical activity at schools and beyond. FUTP60 empowers students, with the support of adults, to take the lead in making healthy changes and to have a positive impact in their communities. Over 73,000 schools are involved, and 38 million students have been reached through the program nationwide. FUTP60 is currently active in some of Macomb County's schools, and through this partnership, we hope to engage more schools in Macomb County to make a measurable impact on physical activity levels of students. For more information on FUTP60, you can visit https://www.fueluptoplay60.com/

We will address physical activity with seniors by first identifying the needs of those who live, work and play in Macomb County.  Our first plan of action is to reach out to our senior community members and have conversations with them about their needs and wants.  Then we will work with our local senior centers, community centers, faith based organizations, and parks/recreation partners to identify the best ways to increase activity and engage our senior community.  

Lastly, be on the lookout for a centralized resource to share physical activity opportunities, physical activity resources, and local maps and events on ways to promote health and reduce chronic disease risk.  

Partners

Macomb County Health Department

Henry Ford Health System

Oakland County Health Department

Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC)

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development

Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD)

Ascension

Good Shepherd Coalition

Beaumont Health System

Why Is This Important?

Behavioral health is often used as an umbrella term, and refers to mental, behavioral or addictive disorders. It includes not only promotion of well-being, but also includes prevention and intervention in substance abuse or other addictions. When asked to identify health concerns other than chronic disease survey respondents identified mental health as a priority (53.2%). When combined with drug/substance abuse, the behavioral health priority area was deemed absolutely essential to creating a healthier community. By educating community partners on early identification of behavioral health conditions, increasing awareness of public health behavioral services and decreasing the number of tobacco-using Macomb County residents, behavioral health improvement will be brought to the forefront of health priority in Macomb County.

Strategy

During our first year, we will focus on increasing early identification of behavioral health risk factors. 

We will address early identification of behavioral health risk factors through the promotion of Mental Health First Aid and Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) trainings. In addition to promoting trainings to community partners and residents, the workgroup will focus on training employees interally by offering trainings at all Macomb County government offices.

Partners

Macomb County Health Department

Henry Ford Health System

Oakland County Health Department

Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC)

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development

Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD)

Ascension

Good Shepherd Coalition

Beaumont Health System

Why Is This Important?

Behavioral health is often used as an umbrella term, and refers to mental, behavioral or addictive disorders. It includes not only promotion of well-being, but also includes prevention and intervention in substance abuse or other addictions. When asked to identify health concerns other than chronic disease survey respondents identified mental health as a priority (53.2%). When combined with drug/substance abuse, the behavioral health priority area was deemed absolutely essential to creating a healthier community. By educating community partners on early identification of behavioral health conditions, increasing awareness of public health behavioral services and decreasing the number of tobacco-using Macomb County residents, behavioral health improvement will be brought to the forefront of health priority in Macomb County.

Strategy

During our first year, we will focus on increasing awareness of behavioral health services. 

We will increase awareness through the development of a resource map that identifies behavioral health services in Macomb County. The resource map will be shared with the Behavioral Health Workgroup and dissemainted to community partners and organizations for distribution throughout the community. The resource map will highlight the many behavioral health services available in Macomb County and bring attention to the importance of receiving care for behavioral health. 

Additionally, the workgroup will work to promote Narcan educational sessions and drug drop off locations. 

Partners

Macomb County Health Department

Henry Ford Health System

Oakland County Health Department

Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC)

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development

Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD)

Ascension

Good Shepherd Coalition

Beaumont Health System

Why Is This Important?

Behavioral health is often used as an umbrella term, and refers to mental, behavioral or addictive disorders. It includes not only promotion of well-being, but also includes prevention and intervention in substance abuse or other addictions. When asked to identify health concerns other than chronic disease survey respondents identified mental health as a priority (53.2%). When combined with drug/substance abuse, the behavioral health priority area was deemed absolutely essential to creating a healthier community. By educating community partners on early identification of behavioral health conditions, increasing awareness of public health behavioral services and decreasing the number of tobacco-using Macomb County residents, behavioral health improvement will be brought to the forefront of health priority in Macomb County.

Strategy

During our first year, we will focus on increasing awareness of the dangers of tobacco use.

We will identify health fairs that can be attended to promote cessation. The workgroup will also identify resources available to help residents quit smoking and stop tobacco use in other methods.

Lastly, the workgroup will begin to develop a message for a future Public Service Announcement (PSA). The workgroup will work to develop a PSA that increases awareness of the dangers of tobacco use and the resources availble to help residents quit smoking. The PSA would assist residents in finding resources to stop tobacco use and would work towards the goal of decreasing the percentage of Macomb County residents who use tobacco.

Partners

Macomb County Health Department

Henry Ford Health System

Oakland County Health Department

Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC)

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development

Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD)

Ascension

Good Shepherd Coalition

Beaumont Health System

Why Is This Important?

Access to many different health-related services was a prominent and recurring theme during completion of the Community Health Assessment, specifically throughout the Community Themes and Strengths Assessment (CTSA) and the Forces of Change Assessment (FoCA). Increased access to affordable healthy food, access to housing, access to healthcare, and access to more jobs were selected as priority areas that would increase the quality of life for residents, as well as improve overall health for Macomb County. Utilizing results obtained from the CTSA team and completed surveys and data from the CHA, Access to Services was summarized as a central theme with a focus on increasing knowledge and utilization of services that are already available in Macomb County. Unique strategies must be developed and executed in order to capitalize on the community’s strengths and to develop the areas where Access to Services can be improved. With the future of the Affordable Care Act uncertain, now more than ever, residents need education on health insurance and services accessible to them.

While Macomb County exceeds the benchmark in insured population as well as in the category of usual care provider selected, the county will continue to monitor these particular benchmarks and focus will remain on increasing knowledge of accessible resources and services.

Strategy

During our first year, we will focus on increasing healthy eating with youth in our community.

We will address healthy eating with youth by working with schools to implement Smarter Lunchrooms. The Smarter Lunchrooms Movement is a nationwide movement based on proven strategies for nudging students to select and eat the healthiest foods in the school lunchroom. The Smarter Lunchrooms Movement provides schools with the knowledge, motivation, and resources needed to build a lunchroom environment that makes healthy food choices the easy choice. The Smarter Lunchrooms Movement uses a scorecard to provide schools with a snapshot of how many strategies are currently in place in a lunchroom. The Smarter Lunchrooms Scorecard contains 60 simple, no-cost or low-cost strategies that lunchrooms can use to increase participation, improve consumption of healthy food, and reduce food waste. The scorecard is used to gather pre- and post- data about the cafeteria environment. For more information, visit https://www.smarterlunchrooms.org/.

We will also address healthy eating by developing a Farm to School directory. The Farm to School directory will provide schools with contact and produce information from farms who are interested in selling to schools. Farm to School programs connect and enrich communities and increase farmers' revenues by providing a local market. Farm to School programs allow farmers to supply schools with fresh fruits and vegetables and provide students with a fresh, healthy meal. 

Partners

Macomb County Health Department

Michigan State University Extension (MSUE)

Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD)

Henry Ford Health System

Oakland County Health Department

Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC)

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development

Ascension

Good Shepherd Coalition

Beaumont Health System

Why Is This Important?

Access to many different health-related services was a prominent and recurring theme during completion of the Community Health Assessment, specifically throughout the Community Themes and Strengths Assessment (CTSA) and the Forces of Change Assessment (FoCA). Increased access to affordable healthy food, access to housing, access to healthcare, and access to more jobs were selected as priority areas that would increase the quality of life for residents, as well as improve overall health for Macomb County. Utilizing results obtained from the CTSA team and completed surveys and data from the CHA, Access to Services was summarized as a central theme with a focus on increasing knowledge and utilization of services that are already available in Macomb County. Unique strategies must be developed and executed in order to capitalize on the community’s strengths and to develop the areas where Access to Services can be improved. With the future of the Affordable Care Act uncertain, now more than ever, residents need education on health insurance and services accessible to them.

While Macomb County exceeds the benchmark in insured population as well as in the category of usual care provider selected, the county will continue to monitor these particular benchmarks and focus will remain on increasing knowledge of accessible resources and services.

Strategy

During the first year, we will identify workshops to attend to promote awareness and understanding of health insurance coverage.

Partners

Macomb County Health Department

Michigan State University Extension (MSUE)

Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD)

Henry Ford Health System

Oakland County Health Department

Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC)

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development

Ascension

Good Shepherd Coalition

Beaumont Health System

Why Is This Important?

Access to many different health-related services was a prominent and recurring theme during completion of the Community Health Assessment, specifically throughout the Community Themes and Strengths Assessment (CTSA) and the Forces of Change Assessment (FoCA). Increased access to affordable healthy food, access to housing, access to healthcare, and access to more jobs were selected as priority areas that would increase the quality of life for residents, as well as improve overall health for Macomb County. Utilizing results obtained from the CTSA team and completed surveys and data from the CHA, Access to Services was summarized as a central theme with a focus on increasing knowledge and utilization of services that are already available in Macomb County. Unique strategies must be developed and executed in order to capitalize on the community’s strengths and to develop the areas where Access to Services can be improved. With the future of the Affordable Care Act uncertain, now more than ever, residents need education on health insurance and services accessible to them.

While Macomb County exceeds the benchmark in insured population as well as in the category of usual care provider selected, the county will continue to monitor these particular benchmarks and focus will remain on increasing knowledge of accessible resources and services.

Strategy

During our first year, we will focus on improving the capacity and utilization of affordable, preventive and integrated oral health services in Macomb County. 

We will address this by first implementing a survey among Macomb County residents to determine where and how residents are accessing oral health services. The workgroup will develop the survey and administer the survey to community partners and organizations. The survey will be implemented at faith based organizations, community centers, medical care facilities, and more. 

We will also determine what oral health resources already exist that serve the target population. The workgroup will work together to identify these resources and to determine whether they realistically support the identified population. 

Partners

Macomb County Health Department

Michigan State University Extension (MSUE)

Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD)

Henry Ford Health System

Oakland County Health Department

Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC)

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development

Ascension

Good Shepherd Coalition

Beaumont Health System

Why Is This Important?

The conditions in which residents live explain why some Macomb County residents are healthier than others. Health is affected by social and economic opportunities in our communities, workplaces and environment. These can be called Social Determinants of Equity. Addressing Social Determinants of Equity was selected as a priority area. By collaboration with community stakeholders, these disparities can be identified and addressed. The most basic of goals can be established to ensure that all services are accessible to the entire population of Macomb County and that these services are culturally and linguistically appropriate.

Strategy

During our first year, we developed a new goal to train 100% of Health Department staff in cultural competency, cultural humility, and equity. As we worked on the goals of this workgroup, we realized that we as a Health Department could ensure health care services are culturally and linguistically appropriate first at an internal level. This goal will be met over the next year through the identification of trainings for staff to complete. Once trainings are identified, staff will begin taking trainings to ensure that we are providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

Why Is This Important?

The conditions in which residents live explain why some Macomb County residents are healthier than others. Heath is affected by social and economic opportunities in our communities, workplaces and environment. These can be called Social Determinants of Equity. Addressing Social Determinants of Equity was selected as a priority area. By collaboration with community stakeholders, these disparities can be identified and addressed. The most basic of goals can be established to ensure that all services are accessible to the entire population of Macomb County and that these services are culturally and linguistically appropriate.

Strategy

During our first year, as we worked on the goals of this workgroup, we realized that we as a Health Department could ensure health care services are culturally and linguistically appropriate first at an internal level. This workgroup will work towards these goals at an internal level. In an effort to align with the strategic plan, this workgroup will review existing plans for culturally and linguistically appropriate services and identify additional plans related to social determinants of equity.