Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Washtenaw County completed its first community health assessment. The purpose of the assessment was to gather data on the health needs of the community and guide the county and its health partners. Daina Brimley, community health analyst for the Washtenaw County Health Department, stated that the assessment highlighted three top health priorities for the community: mental health, access to health care and access to healthy food.
Moving forward, the department plans to work with community members to develop actionable steps to address these top priorities. Brimley emphasized the importance of involving the community in this process, stating that they do not want to make decisions in isolation. By working closely with community input, they hope to create solutions that truly reflect the needs of Washtenaw County.
The next steps for the department include working to identify specific action items and goals through partnership with county groups and community members by the end of 2027. By engaging with various stakeholders, they hope to create a comprehensive plan that addresses the pressing health issues identified in the assessment. Contributions to VEMU, a non-commercial, fact-based news source, help support reporting on important community issues. If you would like to support this work, you can make a donation to VEMU today. Stay connected with 89.1 VEMU by following them on Facebook and Twitter. If you have news tips or feedback, you can contact VEMU News at 734.487.3363 or email them at studio@vemu