158049 Rural health in the Heartland: An assessment of access to health care, health status indicators, health behaviors, and health literacy among residents in a rural Indiana county

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Catherine M. Sherwood-Puzzello, HSD , Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Lindsey L. Cook, MPHc , Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Amanda C. Daugherty, MPHc , Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Alireza Geshnizjani, MPHc , Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Nanci L. Ickes, MPHc , Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Robin A. Meleski, MPH, CHES , Health Education Division, St. Joseph County Health Dept., South Bend, IN
Assessing the health needs of rural communities continues to be an important component towards planning and implementing public health programs. In order to guide current and future health care services, health needs will be assessed among residents living in a rural county in Indiana. The purpose of this project is to identify and assess health needs, trends, and utilization of health services in order to develop new programs based on outcomes. Methods used in collecting the information include the utilization of a community-based participatory research approach which includes individuals from a local hospital, state department of health and university. Information will be collected via phone survey among adult residents to determine needs related to health care, health status, health literacy, chronic diseases, lifestyle risk behaviors, early detection and screenings, and quality of life. Aggregate data will show the respondents' top health priorities. The results of this survey are important for local health agencies to continue to support successful initiatives, while working to improve health care services and implement pertinent health promotion programs for rural county residents.

Learning Objectives:
1. Have a better understanding of the typical health needs of a rural community in the Midwest. 2. Articulate which methods can be utilized using a community-based participatory approach, in conducting a health needs assessment in the rural Midwest. 3. Develop two health assessment questions which relate to health care, health care utilization and health status indicators that could be used in a questionnaire to assess the health of a rural, Midwestern community.

Keywords: Assessments, Rural Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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