Healthier Together

Since June 2008, members of Healthier Together – St. Croix County (formerly St. Croix County Community Health Improvement Process (CHIP), have worked together to better understand current and future health care needs of St. Croix County. This process of assessing, prioritizing and addressing health needs in the region is facilitated by Hudson Hospital & Clinics and St. Croix County Public Health. It is a strategic, countywide, community-based approach for creating and maintaining healthy communities.

A countywide community needs assessment identified the top five health priorities for our county. They are:

• Access to Primary and Preventive
  Health Services
  
  
• Overweight, Obesity, and Lack
  of Physical Activity
  
  
• Adequate and Appropriate Nutrition
  
  
• Alcohol and Other Substance Use
  and Addiction
  
  
• Tobacco Use and Exposure

A document called the Healthier Together – St. Croix County Community Health Improvement Plan 2009-2014 explains what is going well in the county, where there is room for improvement and calls upon the community to be part of the solution.

Many initiatives are already underway including the Community Garden – Hudson Hospital & Clinics and grant funding received from the St. Croix Valley Foundation for launch of a school-based (Community Ed) pilot program this fall focusing on youth nutrition/physical fitness and the great outdoors.

Interested in learning more? Check out the Healthier Together Plan attached and contact information provided.