Before the health status of a community can be understood, community health measures should be compared to specific targets supported by baseline data. With this in mind, the Knox County Health Department compiled local data for Knox County, Tennessee for each of the ten leading health indicators depicted in Healthy People 2010. Local data was compiled from various sources, including a random-digit dial telephone community health assessment survey conducted in Knox County in 1998. Knox County data was then compared to national and statewide data in a report entitled “Healthy People Knox County: A Community Health Status Report”. Using Knox County, Tennessee as an example, this report illustrates how the objectives in Healthy People 2010 can be utilized as a guiding instrument for local program planning. This discussion will highlight the methodology and dissemination of the report, as well as how the outcomes of the report aided in enhancing the community-based public health infrastructure. Highlighted outcomes include: development of a local version of the Healthy People 2010 goals and objectives; the facilitation of communication with local government decision-makers; enhanced media coverage of local health issues; and the development of a framework for local public health surveillance activities.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to: 1) visualize the value of Healthy People 2010 at the local public health level, and 2) apply Healthy People 2010 as a guiding instrument for local program planning.
Keywords: Community Health Planning, Healthy People 2000/2010
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.