Unveiling Washtenaw County’s Post-Pandemic Health Priorities: A Community Assessment and Action Plan

The Washtenaw County Health Department recently completed its first Community Health Assessment since the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the assessment was to gather data on community health needs, which will help guide the county and its health partners in developing effective solutions. According to Dayna Brimley, a Community Health Analyst at the department, the assessment identified three main health priorities for the community: mental health, access to healthcare, and access to healthy food.

Moving forward, Brimley emphasized the importance of involving the community in addressing these top priorities. “We don’t want to make decisions in isolation,” she said. “By working closely with community input, we hope to create solutions that truly reflect their needs.” To achieve this goal, the department plans to collaborate with county groups and community members until the end of 2027. By engaging with a variety of stakeholders, they hope to create a comprehensive plan that addresses pressing health issues identified in the assessment.

The next steps for the department involve identifying specific action items and goals through partnerships with county groups and community members. Brimley stressed that contributions from WEMU are essential in supporting reporting on important community matters. If you would like to support this work, you can make a donation to WEMU today. Stay connected with 89.1 WEMU by following them on Facebook and Twitter. If you have news tips or feedback, you can contact WEMU News at 734-487-3363 or email them at studio@wemu.org.