Community Initiatives
We’re working with community organizations to make sure everyone in Dane County has a chance to live a healthy, fulfilling life.
How We Work
Our public health approach is rooted in understanding data, working with partners, and measuring impact. Using this approach, we evaluate issues facing our community to take action. We make recommendations for changes in policies and laws to help improve health and wellbeing.
Assessing the Health of Our Community
Community Health Assessment
Every five years we look at the health of our community. We get data from lots of sources to give us an idea of our community’s health. Then we listen to you for details beyond the facts and figures. We call this a Community Health Assessment (CHA).This helps us learn the top public health issues for our community. We share the issues with our partners in the community and together, we come up with plans to address them, to improve health for all. We call this a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The CHIP will be the guide we follow for the next five years to improve the health of our community.
Other Health Priorities
Improving Healthy Birth Outcomes
In Dane County, there are significant racial differences in infant death rates. Our Fetal and Infant Mortality Review team works to understand what contributes to stillbirths and infant deaths so change can happen.
Preventing Violence
Violence is a widespread, complicated public health issue. We look at the root causes of violence in order to prevent it.
Reducing Drug Harm
We work with community partners to improve mental wellness, prevent overdoses, and help save lives. This includes an Overdose Fatality Review, which helps us understand the factors that lead to overdoses.
Reducing Tobacco Related Disease and Death
We work to prevent youth from starting tobacco, eliminating exposure to secondhand smoke, and eliminating tobacco related health disparities.