Summit County launches community health assessment outreach with video, short survey and climate-health speaker events

Summit County Health Department staff on May 6 previewed a promotional video and the initial draft of a community health assessment survey they plan to deploy this spring and summer.

Nancy Porter (epidemiologist) described a two-tiered survey built in REDCap that will be available in a short version (intended under five minutes) and an extended version for respondents willing to provide more detail. The survey will be mobile friendly, available in English and Spanish, offered on paper and iPad at events, and supplemented by focus groups held across the county.

Isaac (communications) and Emily (sustainability/staff) said the health department will promote the survey on Facebook, Instagram and other local channels, use paid social advertising and radio underwriting, and deploy the survey at tabling events. Emily said the department will pair community-health outreach with two Climate Change and Public Health Speaker Series events on May 14 and May 20; sessions will include brief presentations and breakout discussion groups facilitated by Mountain Mediation Center.

Board members asked for a copy of the full survey for review before wide release; staff said they will share a reviewable version and that beta testing in the department will occur at the end of the week. Staff also noted they added new race/ethnicity options (Middle Eastern or North African) and plan to allow multiple-race selections to better reflect respondents’ identities.

The survey will remain open from its launch next week through the fall to support a broader community-health assessment and to inform grant applications and local planning.