Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)

Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death in Clark County. They are defined broadly as conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. The most common chronic diseases include heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Many chronic diseases are caused by a short list of health behaviors: tobacco use, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity and excessive alcohol use.  

We also know that where a person lives, their income level, and their race can be predictive factors for chronic disease.  These societal inequities can make it more difficult for some individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles. We strive to address both individual behavior and the societal inequities to help our residents live healthier, longer lives.  

Goals determined for Chronic Disease:

• Decrease adult tobacco use in Clark County from 26% to 21% by December 31, 2022.
• Decrease the percentage of adults who report no leisure time physical activity from 30% to 26% by December 31, 2022.
• Decrease the percentage of population who lacks access to healthy food in Clark County from 15% to 14% by December 31, 2022.
• Decrease the diabetes associated mortality rate from 34.4 to 25.4 by December 31, 2022.  

Infant mortality is an important marker of the overall health of the community. The rate is regarded as a highly sensitive measure of population health because there is an association between the causes of infant mortality and other factors that influence health status of whole populations such as quality of the environment and access to healthcare.  

Pregnancy and early life are critical times to ensure healthy development, address health risks and prevent future problems for women and their children. Their well-being determines the health of the next generation and can help predict the future public health challenges for families and communities.   

The health of the community is also reliant on pre-conception and sexual health. Sexual health is defined as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships as well as the freedom from coercion, discrimination and violence. 

Goals determined for Maternal Child and Sexual Health:

• Reduce infant mortality rate from 6.8 to 5.7 by December 31, 2022. 
• Reduce the rate of teen births rate per 100,000 from 26.9 to 12.3 be December 31, 2022.
• Reduce the rate (number of cases per 100,000) of Chlamydia in Clark County from 619.1 to 543.4 by December 31, 2022. 
• Reduce the rate (number of cases per 100,000) of Syphilis in Clark County from 61.7 to 55.5 by December 31, 2022. 

Oftentimes, “health” is thought of as physical. In Clark County, we know health is much more than that. It also can mean that someone is depressed, anxious, or addicted to drugs or alcohol. These problems can decrease quality of life and negatively impact physical health. Just like heart attacks can cause premature death without proper care, illnesses like substance abuse or mental illness also can lead to early death through overdose and suicide.  

That’s why it is important to help those who are in crisis now, but also focus heavily on evidence-based prevention strategies to stave off future crises. These efforts can significantly reduce deaths by suicide and overdose in Clark County and provide our communities with resilience and healthy coping skills.  

No person is untouched by mental health or substance use concerns—whether personally or through their relationships. Addressing mental health and substance use problems can proactively help our communities get and stay well: now and into the future. 

Goals determined for Mental Health and Substance Use:

• Reduce the rate (number of cases per 100,000) of overdose death from 46.2 to 36.4 by December 31, 2022. 
• Reduce the rate (number of cases per 100,000) of suicide deaths from 19.6 to 15.2 by December 31, 2022. 
• Reduce the number of reported poor mental health days in adults from 5.2 to 4.8 by December 31, 2022.  

The Social Determinants of Health committees are in various stages of development. The Trauma Steering Committee presented strategies and process objectives were chosen by the Clark County Community Health Community during the CHIP planning process. The Transportation and Housing committees are in development.  

• Trauma
  • Five Clark County organizations will commit to conducting a trauma informed assessment by December 31, 2022. 
  • Five Clark County organizations will develop an action plan for becoming more trauma informed by December 31, 2022 
• Transportation 
  • A team connected to TCC is working with a consultant and the current activity includes walk audits and survey for feedback.
• Housing 
  • Plans are in the works to hire a contractor to look at affordable housing and homelessness in Clark County.
  • In November 2021, the community received funding from ODH through CCCHD for the purposes of lead poisoning prevention – expectations include developing a community stategic plan for lead poisoning prevention.