What are the biggest health issues in Manatee County? Officials want to hear from you
Those who live, work or play in Manatee County are encouraged to complete a 10-minute online survey from the Manatee HealthCare Alliance (MHCA) that aims to improve living and health conditions in the area.
The survey’s goal is to identify the necessary resources that are required to address leading health problems prevalent in the Bradenton area, according to Christopher Tittel, communication director for the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County.
MHCA says the results, which will be published this summer, will help develop a community health assessment and a three-year community health improvement plan beginning in 2024.
“This short, anonymous survey will allow the Manatee Healthcare Alliance to prioritize health issues, identify resources for addressing them and take action to improve conditions that support healthy living,” said Melissa Larkin-Skinner, current chair of the MHCA and regional CEO of Centerstone.
Participants should complete the survey before May 22. It is available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.
The MHCA will ask participants to identify what they feel are:
- the three most important health problems
- three unhealthy behaviors that are most concerning to them
- and the most important changes they believe are necessary to achieve a healthy community in Manatee County.
Data privacy
Participants will also be asked to answer questions about their personal satisfaction with health care in Manatee, such as listing reasons they were unable to see a doctor in the past year or rating their own personal health.
Those taking the survey will be requested to disclose their annual household income, race and level of education.
The survey is completely anonymous and will not ask for any personal identifiable information.
Past results
Past surveys have helped determine where grant funding should be sought and used, organize public health fairs and initiatives and identify where and when health surveys should be conducted, according to Tittel.
A 2021 community health assessment survey identified communicable diseases, behavioral health, youth development and healthy living as public health target issues.
Out of Florida’s 67 counties, Manatee County ranked 14th in health outcomes, according to an annual report by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
The results from that report indicated smoking, adult obesity and the number of uninsured residents were areas to explore further in the county. Strong results were found in areas such as preventable hospital stays, primary care physicians and high school completion.
This story was originally published May 15, 2023 at 5:50 AM.