The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH), part of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), recently hosted more than 125 public health professionals, hospital representatives, advocates, academic advisors, and state officials.
The strategy session was scheduled to begin working collaboratively on Kentucky’s next State Health Improvement Plan.
“The fact that so many of you are here from such genuinely different backgrounds, orientations, areas of interests, areas of skill and insight is very exciting,” DPH Commissioner Dr. Hiram Polk, Jr. shared during his opening remarks at the Kentucky History Center.
The “Planning with Partners to Improve Kentucky’s Health” meeting focused discussion on findings presented in the State Health Assessment Update, a data report outlining health factors and outcomes associated with Kentucky’s top 10 priority health issues. These issues include; access to care, obesity, drug and alcohol use, cancer, tobacco use, mental health, diabetes, maternal and child health, heart disease and stroke, and physical activity.
DPH staff presented the report and referenced data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kentucky Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance (KyBRFS) ranging from 2006-2015. Meeting attendees utilized the data in small group discussions to identify Kentucky’s strengths and weaknesses for addressing statewide health issues.
Based on the data presented and input from stakeholders, the following health focus areas were identified for the upcoming State Health Improvement Plan; substance use disorder (opioids & heroin), obesity, tobacco, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and integrated access to care.
“The Planning with Partners to Improve Kentucky’s Health meeting was an exciting opportunity for public health professionals and our stakeholders from across the Commonwealth to be united and develop a collaborative community approach to addressing the health and overall well-being of Kentuckians,” continued Senior Deputy Commissioner Dr. Connie Gayle White, Department for Public Health.
Ultimately, officials say the strategies collaborated on will prioritize health issues, improve health status of Kentuckians and result in better health outcomes.
For more information about DPH, visit www.chfs.ky.gov/dph.
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
