A coalition of health advocates in McLean County has produced a study which said the most pressing health needs in McLean County are similar to what they were in 2016 when the group produced its first report.
The McLean County Community Health Council said the county’s biggest health concerns are access to appropriate health care; behavioral health, including mental health and substance abuse; and healthy eating and active living.
“The priorities for 2019 are essentially the same as those selected in 2016 with the renaming of obesity to healthy eating/active living,” said Sally Gambacorta, community health director at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center and Advocate Eureka Hospital. “The benefit to having the same health priorities is that we have momentum, as well as numerous accomplishments, in each of these areas due to the great collaboration with all of our community partners.”
The report was compiled by officials from the McLean County Health Department, Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center and Chestnut Health Systems.
The council includes 39 organizations in McLean County representing health care facilities, faith-based and private organizations, social service organizations and city and regional planning.
The council plans to work this fall to develop a community health implementation plan and set specific objectives to address the health care priorities.
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