Why We Do This Work

Create Thriving Communities

Health is determined by more than our choices and access to care.

In fact, 80% of what makes people healthy occurs outside of a doctor’s visit.

Environment

Genetics

Access to Care

Healthy Behaviors

Unfair practices and social issues affect the health of communities, and just encouraging healthy choices isn't enough. Important factors that contribute to overall health include:

Safe places to live

Reliable public transportation

Access to affordable healthy food

Good education

Well-paying jobs

Opportunities to be physically active

We aim to improve social, economic, and environmental conditions that impact health using a health equity approach, ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity for a healthy life. However, changing health outcomes doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to notice the results of our efforts.

The goal of HPWC is to create thriving communities where all people in Wood County have a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible, regardless of income, age, location, race, ethnicity, gender, or any other factor.

  • Since 1993, Wisconsin law has required local health departments, including Wood County, to create local health plans to tackle health issues affecting their residents.

    These plans aim to improve the health of the community and its residents are called the Community Health Assessment (CHA) & the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

  • On March 23, 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law with an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirement that all non-profit healthcare systems collaborate with their local health department to complete a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) & Implementation Strategy (IS) at least every three years.

    This community health plan is a collaboration between the health department and health systems, each with their own strategies for implementation.

    • Click here to read more about health system requirements and processes