Healthiertogether

Announcing Healthy Polk 2010

Celebrating the Accomplishments of Healthy Polk 2000

www.healthypolk.org

Healthy Polk:Looking After the

Health of theIndividual and

the Community

Public health is primarily focused on preventing disease, disability

and premature death in the community. Clinical medicine is focused

on the health of the individual. The Healthy Polk initiative has proved

to be the perfect means of bringing these two forces together. In

March of 1993, the Polk County Board of Supervisors created the Polk

County Health Planning Committee to combine the expertise of our

public health and individual health leaders to create a plan for

improving health and quality of life. That plan, called Healthy Polk

2000, was a resounding success with nearly 80 percent of the 297

goals and action steps completed.

The success of Healthy Polk 2000 was a major factor in my decision to

come to Polk County. As the Director of Public Health in our

community I am aware of the need for collaboration and cooperation

among professionals, health and human service agencies, and

individuals. I firmly believe that public health cannot exist in

isolation. We’ve always had to have the pulse of the community to be

successful. And that’s exactly what we’ve got with Healthy Polk.

As Healthy Polk 2000 evolves into Healthy Polk 2010, it is important to

review the achievements of the past, and look to the future. The

Healthy Polk 2010 Plan was carefully conceived by a group of caring

individuals dedicated to improving lives. Please take a few moments

to review the Plan and consider becoming involved with this very

important initiative.

Carolyn L. Beverly, MD, MPH

Director, Polk County Department of Public Health

Cover Photo: Baby being weighed by Red Cross Volunteers

at Roadside Settlement Center, Des Moines, 1945.

Courtesy State Historical Society of Iowa—Des Moines.

“It's been hard workto get to this point,

but we're a bettercommunity for

having done this—and this is just

the beginning!”— Susan B. Klein

Healthy Polk Chair

Healthiertogether Announcing Healthy Polk 2010

from the Chair

2

Announcing Healthy Polk 2010

The Mission 4

The Vision 5

What is a Healthy Community? 5

Trend-Benders, Workgroups

and Indicators 6

Celebrating Accomplishmentsof Healthy Polk 2000

A Solid Foundation 10

The Accomplishments 11

Polk County Community Traditions

Neighborliness, Dialogue, Education 14

Participating Organizations

Those Who Make it Happen 15

Con

tents

Toward aHealthierPolk County

This is an exciting time to live

in Polk County, especially if you care,

as I do, about your health and quality of life.

At this moment in time we are in the process

of tallying up the outcomes of Healthy Polk 2000—

an initiative begun in 1995 to measurably improve

our community’s health status by utilizing

community participation as

a key leverage point. And, we are also launching

the next step—Healthy Polk 2010—which we expect

to take us to even greater levels of

accomplishment.

In the following pages you will see an

announcement of the priorities and goals

of Healthy Polk 2010, a report on Healthy

Polk 2000 and information on how you

can get involved—either as an organization

or an individual.

There is something special going on in Polk

County. I know from my counterparts around the

country, who are working to make their own

communities healthier, that we have something

wonderful here. The core values

of our community—including neighborliness,

a culture of dialogue, and support for education

and learning—give us the fortunate opportunity to

make a great place even better.

Best wishes for good health,

Becky Miles-Polka, MS, CNM

Past Chair, Healthy Polk

Executive Director of Healthy Communities

Methodist, Lutheran and Blank Children’s Hospitals

Contents

3Announcing Healthy Polk 2010 Healthiertogether

A healthy community is “One that is safewith affordable housing and accessible

transportation systems, work for allwho want to work, a healthy and

safe environment with a sustainableecosystem, and offers access to

health care services which focus onprevention and staying healthy.”

— The World Health Organization

4 Healthiertogether Announcing Healthy Polk 2010

Healthy Polk 2010Healthy Polk 2010 is a hybrid of two important frameworks for improving health: the HealthyPeople approach, which is the national health agenda of the US Department of Health andHuman Services; and the Healthy Community concept, which views individual health as anoutcome of a healthy built and natural environment. By combining these two approaches,Healthy Polk is pioneering how community resources can be leveraged to make measurableprogress towards improved health and quality of life.

The work of Healthy Polk 2010 is organized into six “Trend-Bender” areas, which are de-scribed on the next few pages. A Trend-Bender is an issue that, if addressed effectively, couldsignificantly improve health and quality of life. Each Trend-Bender includes specific, measur-able goals. For example, one of the goals of the Access to Care Trend-Bender area is to in-crease the number of eligible children signed up for the HAWK-I program to 85% by the year2005. One of the goals in the Substance Abuse Trend-Bender area is to decrease the percent-age of 11th grade students reporting first-time use of substances at age 14 or under.

“The identification of Trend-Benders,” says Healthy Polk Chair Susan B. Klein, “is meant to getus focused so that we can get outcomes and measure our progress. The capacity-building workwe’ve done in the last few years has set us up to really get some things done.”

With Healthy Polk’s previous track record, the people and organizations that have beenparticipating are getting to the point where they have a shared vision of where the communityneeds to move. “This allows our organizational participants to move beyond partnerships andinto a compact with each other,” says Klein.

Announcing Healthy Polk 2010

“I would liketo see Healthy Polklay out the broadhealth policyagenda that driveswhat we do inthe healthdepartment.”— Teree Caldwell-JohnsonPolk County Manager

ourMISSIONHealthy Polk 2010 is a movement of individuals andcommunity organizations with a mission to improve healthstatus, longevity and quality of life for persons of all agegroups, socioeconomic levels and ethnic backgrounds livingin Polk County, Iowa. This mission will be accomplished byproviding greater access to health promotion information,appropriate health protection and disease preventionservices, and healthier physical and social environments.

5Announcing Healthy Polk 2010 Healthiertogether

“There is a greatpotential for us

to benefit ourcommunity if we

meet the goalsand objectives of

Healthy Polk2010.”

— Annette BairVice President

Mission and EthicsMercy Medical Center

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Healthy Polk is based on these values:We are a community committed to strengthening families.Our children are our future and we will nurture and prepare themfor learning and living.We are a community of life-long learners. We place high value on educationand will provide opportunities for learning throughout our lifespan.We are committed to a high quality, well-coordinated, holistic, comprehensivecommunity health care system, which is accessible to all.Our neighborhoods will be safe and thriving.Our diversity is recognized as a source of strength.Our health, religion, education, business, government, law enforcement andhuman service systems are interconnected and will work together to improvethe health and quality of life in our community.We are committed to strengthening social connections between individualsand communities.

What is a Healthy Community?There are as many answers to this question as there are communities. The key is thatthe definition needs to make sense for the residents of a community, based on theirresources, needs and values. “Health” in this context refers not just to the absence ofdisease, but to all the quality of life factors that contribute to healthy people in healthycommunites. Here is the definition of the Polk County Health Department:

“A healthy community is continually creating and improving those physical and socialenvironments and expanding those community resources which enable people tomutually support each other in performing all the functions of life and in developing totheir maximum potential.”

What is Healthy People 2010?Healthy People 2010 is a set of health objectives for the nation to achieve over the firstdecade of the new century.

Healthy People 2010 builds on initiatives pursued over the past two decades — The1979 Surgeon General’s Report, Healthy People, and Healthy People 2000: NationalHealth Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives. Like its predecessors, HealthyPeople 2010 was developed through a broad consultation process, built on the bestscientific knowledge and designed to measure programs over time.

ourVISIONHealthy Polk 2010 is committed to creating a caring

community dedicated to improving the health andwell-being of Polk County’s diverse population.

HealthyIowans 2010:A State Level Approachin Support of LocalInitiativesHealthy Iowans 2010 is the

Iowa Department of Public

Health’s state-level adaptation

of the Healthy People concept.

The Iowa plan closely tracks

the national one, and includes

a few additions, such as the

identification of problem

gambling as a health issue.

The statewide effort is focused

on supporting the development

of plans at the local level,

including Healthy Polk.

www.idph.state.ia.us

“I think it is greatwhen the commu-nity takes an activerole in influencingpolicymakers. Theway to do it is withdata, demonstratingthat large numbersof people are in-volved, and by hav-ing trustworthyleaders. This can bevery effective.”— Gene PhillipsPolk County ChairmanBoard of Supervisors

Announcing Healthy Polk 2010

Where did theTrend-Benderscome from?Community Dialoguesset the Agenda

A healthy community requires broad com-munity involvement. To ensure that PolkCounty residents were fully involved insetting the agenda for 2010, in 1999 and 2000over 650 people used the Healthy Commu-nity Agenda Dialogue Guide as a way to buildconsensus about how to improve health andquality of life.

Many different groups sponsored dialogues.Churches and other religious organizations,the existing work groups, college studentsand homeless groups all took part. People ofall ages reflecting the racial and ethnicdiversity of our community (includingCaucasians, Hispanics, Asians and AfricanAmericans) were involved.

These dialogues provided a rare opportunityfor members of the community to engageone another about their role in improvinghealth and quality of life. “The notion oflearning and listening to each other,” saysSusan B. Klein, “really came out in thesedialogues. They really gave everyone achance to hear from everyone else. This wasan important step to getting to a healthiercommunity. We’re not there yet, but this is awork in progress.”

The results of these dialogues show that thecommunity believes the top issues to beaddressed in order to improve health andquality of life in the community are access tohealth care, substance abuse, mental healthand healthy weight.

More detailed results from these dialoguescan be found on www.healthypolk.org.Further information on the HealthyCommunity Dialogue Guide can befound at www.healthycommunities.org.

Getting to outcomesTrend-Benders, Workgroupsand Indicators

Healthy Polk 2010 is organized around six“Trend-Bender” areas. Trend-Benders arestrategic themes that, if addressed success-fully, can help a community break anunhealthy cycle in order to create a signifi-cant impact on health and quality of life.

The six Trend-Benders for Healthy Polk 2010are: Access to Care, Substance Abuse, MentalHealth, Healthy Weight, Social Engagement,and Spirituality and Health. The first four areaimed at an identified health issue. The lasttwo cut across these and several other healthand quality of life issues. The Healthy Polkapproach recognizes that these issues are allinterrelated.

Each of the Trend-Benders is supported byworkgroups that are charged with makingprogress on specific indicators. The nextthree pages identify the workgroups and theindicators that will help measure progress.To see the current status of an indicator,go to www.healthypolk.org.

Did you know...That only 20% of eligiblechildren are enrolled forHAWK-I, the state’s healthinsurance program for kids?Healthy Polk Action Item:Increase enrollment to 85%by 2005.

That African Americaninfants die at a muchhigher rate than whitechildren?Healthy Polk Action Item:Reduce African AmericanInfant Mortality in PolkCounty by 5% by 2005.

That 38% of Polk Countyyouth admitted to havingfive or more drinks in a 30day period?Healthy Polk Action Item:Decrease the percentage of11th grade students report-ing first time use of sub-stances at age 14 and underby 6% by 2008.

6 Healthiertogether Announcing Healthy Polk 2010

?What is an indicator?Indicators are measurements (data) that can be used to trackprogress toward a goal. They can tell you how far you’ve comeand how much further there is to go.

7Trend Bender Areas Healthiertogether

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1.Access to CareThe Vulnerable Populations Study (De-cember, 1998) issued by Healthy Polk 2000sought to identify primary healthcareconcerns of specific populations in PolkCounty. Hispanic and African Americanpopulations were identified by this studyas being at the highest risk of not havinghealthcare needs addressed and lackingaccess to health care.

Indicators and Outcomes

ACCESS TO QUALITYHEALTH SERVICESChildren Without Health Care Coverage

Increase the number of eligible childrensigned up for the HAWK-I program to 85%by the year 2005 and 95% by 2010.(According to July 1, 2001 monthlyenrollment reports filed with MAXIMUS,the state’s third party processor for HAWK-I, 19% of eligible children in Polk Countywere enrolled in HAWK-I.)

ImmunizationsAchieve or maintain immunization levelsof at least 90% among children 19-35months of age by 2010. (In 1998, 91% ofchildren in Polk County were immunizedby age two with the basic series. Source:Iowa Health Indicators Tracking System, orIHITS.)

FAMILY PLANNING/MATERNAL ANDCHILD HEALTHMaternal and Child Health

Decrease infant mortality in Polk County toless than 5 per 1,000 live births by the year2010 with particular attention devoted toreducing disparities related to race,income, age and location. (The infantmortality rate in Polk County is 6.6 per1,000 live births. Source: Iowa VitalStatistics, 1999.)Educate women about the dangers andrisks of using alcohol and/or other drugsduring pregnancy and the perinatal period.Develop an instrument and method todetermine the number of women whoreceive a complete prenatal physical in thefirst trimester.

Family PlanningIdentify gaps in services or unmet needs ofPolk County males on pregnancy, preven-tion and family planning issues by 2002.Using information compiled relative toservice gaps, define and set goals forincreasing involvement of Polk Countymales in pregnancy prevention and familyplanning by 2003.

BREASTFEEDINGBreastfeeding Initiation and Duration

Increase the number of mothers whoinitiate breastfeeding to 70% by the year2005, and 75% by the year 2010. (Thecurrent rate in Polk County is 67.15%.Source: Iowa Metabolic Screening Profile,First Quarter.)Increase the number of mothers whobreastfeed their infants for 6 months to30% by the year 2005, and to 35% by theyear 2010. (The current statewide rate is24.8%. Source: 1999 Mothers Survey, RossProducts Division, Abbott Laboratories)Increase the number of mothers whobreastfeed their infants for the first year to15% by 2010. (Primary data collection isneeded.)

ORAL HEALTHWithin Polk County schools with 25% ormore children eligible for the free/reducedlunch program, increase to 70% theproportion of children who have had adental exam with screening and referralfor treatment if indicated by 2005. (In FY99/00, 9497 (60%) of 15,900 children had adental screening and referral for treatmentif indicated. This is 15% of the totalchildren attending Polk County schools.Source: Des Moines Health Center’s SchoolSmiles Program.)Within Polk County schools with 25% ormore of children eligible for the free/reduced lunch program, increase to at least46% the proportion of children who havereceived protective sealants on permanentmolar teeth by 2005. (In FY 99/00 where25% of the children were eligible for thefree/reduced lunch program, 46% (1,978 of4,302) of children received dental sealants.Source: Des Moines Health Center’s SchoolSmiles Program.)Within Polk County schools with 50% ormore of the children eligible for the free/reduced lunch program, increase to at least70% the proportion of children who havereceived protective dental sealants onpermanent molar teeth by 2005. (In FY 99/00 the after school-based dental sealantprogram reported an overall averageproportion of children with dental sealantsof 69%. Source: Des Moines HealthCenter’s School Smiles Program.)

MINORITY HEALTHReduce African American infant mortalityin Polk County by 5% by 2005. (In 1998, theBlack infant mortality rate in Polk Countywas 27.8 per 1,000 live births. Source:IHITS.)

Increase enrollment of minoritychildren in HAWK-I by 5% by 2005and advocate against disenrollment ofminority children in HAWK-I throughadvocacy, lobbying and oversight ofprogram administrators. (The totalnumber of children eligible to beenrolled in Polk County is 5,556.Blacks comprise 5.2% and Hispanicsare 3.5% of the total population inPolk County. Based on a countypopulation of 364,672, approximately288 Black and 194 Hispanic childrenare eligible to be enrolled. Accordingto July 1, 2001 monthly enrollmentreports filed with MAXIMUS, 13% ofeligible Black children and 39% ofeligible Hispanic children in PolkCounty were enrolled in HAWK-I.)By December 2002, develop acomprehensive health screeningmodel and options for additionalhealth education and referral systemswhich can be used as a plan toachieve comprehensive medical care.Develop and identify the number ofcases of diabetes in the Latino andAfrican American community in PolkCounty by 2005. Create an awarenesscampaign that heightens screeningand facilitates health monitoring andhealthy living practices.By 2005, identify the number of AsianAmerican women who have breastcancer, monitor treatment choices,identify barriers to care, and identifyculturally specific resources andeducational materials.

POLK COUNTYCOALITION ON AGINGTransportation

Increase the number of older adultswho utilize specialized publictransportation by 10% by the year2005. (In FY 00/01, Polk Countyprovided transportation subsidies to3,907 individuals. Source: Polk CountySenior Services. In 1999, there were70,849 individuals aged 55 and olderin Polk County. Source: IHITS 1999.)Increase awareness of existingtransportation systems among persons60 and older and their families andamong persons who are disabled by atleast 5% by 2002. (Baseline to bedeveloped.)

Trend Bender Areas

2.Substance AbuseData indicate substance abuse is a problem,particularly for young people, in Polk County.(Data from the Iowa Youth Survey adminis-tered in September 1999 indicate that 47%of Polk Countyís 11th graders admitted tohaving had one drink in the 30 days prior tothe survey and 38% admitted to having had5 or more drinks in a row during the sametime period; 44% admitted to having smokedmarijuana and 21% admitted to havingsmoked marijuana in the 30 days prior tothe survey; 42% admitted to having smokedcigarettes while 31% of the respondentsadmitted to having smoked in the past30 days.)

Indicators and OutcomesUnder-Age Use and Abuse

Decrease the percentage of 11th gradestudents reporting first time use of substancesat age 14 and under by 6% by 2008. (Currentfirst time use rates are: tobacco- 41%;alcohol- 49%; marijuana- 29%; inhalants- 9%.Source: Iowa Youth Survey, 1999.)Decrease the number of young male adultsinvolved in binge drinking by 5% by 2010.(The 1995 statewide rate for males aged 18-24was 55.9%. Source: Iowa Department ofPublic Health.)Increase by 10% the number of youth whoremain substance-free for one year aftercompleting treatment programs (In 2000,45.7% of adults and adolescents in Iowareported no use six months after theirdischarge from treatment. This is based onrandomly contacting 5% of adults year-round,100% of adolescents from January-April 2000and 10% of adolescents from May-December2000, six months after their discharge fromtreatment. Source: Iowa Department ofPublic Health.)Create a unified system to engage all stake-holders and to coordinate effective use ofcommunity resources.

Family/Domestic ViolenceDecrease the gap between the number ofdomestic violence reports and the number ofincidents by 1% per year by 2010. (In FY1995-96, 34% of the number of domesticviolence incidents (19,931) were reported(6,788). Source: Reports from Iowa Depart-ment of Public Safety; Incidents reported bythe Crime Victim Assistance Division)Decrease the number of founded cases ofchild abuse by 12% to 1,336 by 2010. (Therewere 1,518 founded cases of child abuse in1998. Source: Prevent Child Abuse Iowa)

3.Mental HealthMental illness imposes a substantial burdenon the health and well-being of the individu-als in Polk County as well as the communityas a whole. When a sample of Polk Countyresidents was asked about mental healthduring the 1995 Behavioral Risk Survey,individuals reported their mental health as“not good” an average of 2.5 days eachmonth. Individuals reported feeling “wor-ried, tense or anxious” 5.2 days each month,and reported feeling “sad, blue or depressed”a mean of 2.8 days each month.

Indicators and OutcomesAccess to Mental Health Services

Increase the percentage of individuals whoaccess mental health services to 20% by theyear 2005. (According to the 1999 AnnualReport, Polk County Health Services, 2%(6,335) of Polk County citizens receivedmental health, mental retardation or develop-mental disability services which were paid inwhole or in part with Polk County Funds.)Decrease fragmentation of mental healthservices by creating a collaboration ofproviders in the community to provide careacross the continuum.Increase public awareness of and educationon mental health issues.Advocate for elimination of the disparitybetween reimbursement of mental health andmedical care services.

4.Healthy WeightWeight reduction programs have beenstudied intensively and without exceptionhave not produced lasting healthy weights.Therefore, prevention of overweight statusshould be of primary importance.

Indicators and OutcomesSedentary Living

Convene a discussion with communityleaders on the importance of addressing theenvironmental issues that both encourageand discourage physical activity in PolkCounty by September 2001.Cooperate with the Polk County Trail Board todocument current trail usage by August 2001.Create a comprehensive map promotingutilization of the existing system of bike andwalking routes and trails in Polk County byMay 2002.

Trend Bender Areas (continued)

8 Healthiertogether Trend Bender Areas

OtherPriorities UnintentionalInjuries

Expand the Safety Townprogram into three additionalschools. (Safety Town iscurrently in two schools.)Increase the knowledge base ofparticipants in Safety Townprograms. (Develop pre- andpost- tests.)

HIV/STDRaise public awareness of HIV/STD risk behavior, treatmentopportunities and availableresources to infected individu-als in Polk County.Increase awareness of andaccess to services withinminority communities in PolkCounty.

Other Prioritiescontinued in right column

“The great thing aboutHealthy Polk is that it ispushing the envelope forhealthcare providers to seehealth in a broader way andnot just from a clinicalperspective.”— Ginny HancockFormer Executive Director,Human Services PlanningAlliance

Develop a campaign targeted at sedentaryresidents that urges trail system and route useby September 2003.Engage local businesses in a process toevaluate how they support physical activity inthe community by 2003.Distribute “100 Ways to Encourage PhysicalActivity in Our Community” by 2001.Engage school systems in Polk County toincrease their commitment to physical activityat all grade levels by 2005.

Overweight PopulationDecrease the rate of unhealthy weight gainamong adult Polk County residents andprevent a further rise in the obesity rate by2010 (Community survey to be developed.)Replicate Cardiovision 2020 (Rochester, MN)community action initiative to promotehealthy lifestyles by 2002.

NutritionEncourage food outlets (retail, convenience,vending) to promote fruits and vegetables as achoice by 2002.

DiabetesIncrease the percentage of people withabnormal test results from a new/initialdiabetes screening who consult a physician.(In the Des Moines 50317 Diabetes project,73% of those with abnormal results who hadnot been previously diagnosed as diabeticconsulted a physician.)

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5.SocialEngagementSocial engagement greatly affects all aspectsof health, specifically in terms of access tocare, motivation to get care, and motivationto live a healthier lifestyle. Engagement canbe defined as having adequate transporta-tion, an interest in participation, the meansto reach out socially, knowing neighbors, theability to bridge ethnic status (includinglanguage barriers) and economic status, andhaving social skills.

Indicators and OutcomesSocial Support Within the Community

Identify the percentage of individuals whoreport a source of social support.Encourage additional support of youth andtheir involvement in community.

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6.Spiritualityof HealthDefining health as more than theabsence of disease allows for anatural partnership within thecommunity reflecting spiritual andreligious diversity. Studies demon-strate the beneficial effects of faithon a wide variety of health out-comes, such as well-being (lifesatisfaction, parenting, and self-esteem), coping (with medicalillness, life stresses and care giving),mental illness (depression andanxiety), and healthy behavior(sexual activity, health care utiliza-tion, and drug use). The frameworkfor community well-being isstrengthened by the faith communityand its relationship with HealthyPolk 2010.

Indicators and OutcomesFaith and Health Partnerships

Increase the number of congrega-tions with health committees from34 to 50 by December 31, 2001.Identify 25 health committeeswilling to participate in Healthy Polk2010 initiatives.Develop ongoing learning events forreligious leadership regardingmedical issues (e.g., annual cardiacresidency program for clergyinitiated in 2001).Design and implement an educa-tional program providing diabetesresources within participating faithcommunities by December 31, 2002.

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continued from left column

Lead CoalitionIncrease public awareness ofthe dangers of lead poisoning.Promote screening for leadpoisoning.Procure additional funding forthe lead program.Obtain additional funding forhome improvements.

Cancer CoalitionEducate women aged 40 andolder about the importance ofscreening for breast cancer.Educate women about the riskfactors for breast cancer andgood breast health.Increase the number ofwomen who have annualmammograms. (According tothe Behavioral Risk FactorSurveillance System (BRFSS)2001 Final Report, “greater than90% of women surveyedreported they have had aclinical breast examinationby a physician.”)Educate adults over the age of50 about the importance ofearly detection of colorectalcancer.Educate adults about the riskfactors of colorectal cancer andabout good nutrition.Increase the number of peopleover the age of 50 who getscreened for colorectal cancer.(According to the BRFSS 2001Final Report, “Approximately35.2 percent of respondentsreported ever having a sigmoi-doscopy or colonoscopyscreening test... Although only11.1 percent of people betweenthe ages of 35 and 44 reportedever having this test, over 50percent of those 65 and olderreported ever having it.”)Educate all men about the riskfactors for prostate cancer.Educate health care profession-als about screening guidelinesoffering the best chance ofearly detection.

Dear Healthy Polk 2010 Participants,

Congratulations on the start of an exciting new campaign.

We at Polk County Medical Society look forward to working with

you to continue to improve the health of our community. As health

care professionals, we know that Healthy Polk makes our jobs easier.

It is much more effective to keep someone healthy than to help them

get better after getting sick or being injured.

It’s impressive to see the outcomes of Healthy Polk 2000. And, we look

forward to working together on the goals for 2010.

Good Luck to you!

Carole A. Frier, DO

President

Healthy Polk 2000: A Solid Foundationtor Tracking System and a behavioral riskstudy commissioned specifically for this planformed the foundation for the effort.

Throughout the plan, there is a recognitionthat health is more than the absence ofdisease. In the section on Educational andCommunity-Based Programs, the report says,“The health status of a community is theproduct of a multiplicity of factors, includingeducation, socioeconomic status, access tohealth care, lifestyle habits and personalvalues, to name just a few. The most signifi-cant of all of these is education.”

As the accomplishments of the next threepages demonstrate, the nineteen HealthyPolk 2000 workgroups that carried out theplan have met with a degree of success thatcould only happen with an ideal mixture ofgood, relevant information and people andorganizations willing to step up to the plateand take action on that data.

This process has set an ideal stage for howpartnerships at every level can lead toimplementation of changes to make PolkCounty, and all of its communities, an evenhealthier, even more special place to live.Healthy Polk is “Partnering for a HealthyCommunity.”

Healthy Polk 2000 was the predecessor toHealthy Polk 2010. It got underway in 1993when the Board of Supervisors created thePolk County Health Planning Committee.This action followed the release of HealthyIowans 2000, a publication patterned onthe national Healthy People report. Overthe next three years this Committeeundertook a process to produce a healthplan with achievable goals and objectiveswhich were then published in Healthy Polk2000: Health Promotion, Disease Preven-tion, Health Protection, Goals and ActionSteps.

Unlike many plans, however, this one didnot just sit on a shelf. The plan was createdin consultation with more than 200 resi-dents during five town meetings across thecounty. In addition, over 125 organizationsand institutions joined. Using this collabo-rative approach, the early involvement ofso many people and organizations meantthat once the plan was produced thepersonal and institutional buy-in needed toimplement it would already be available.

The plan also utilized data to ensure thatplanning was informed by knowledge.Information from the Iowa Health Indica-

10

Celebrating the Accomplishments

“I look out for theelderly—I try topitch in and helpout with what theyneed, like shovelingsnow or deliveringgroceries.”

— Lupe Muñoz

“I think we gavethree pretty good

citizens to the world—our children!”

— Fran Muñozon her contribution to

making a healthy community

Healthiertogether Celebrating the Accomplishments

Accomplishments of Healthy Polk 2000Accomplishments of the Work Groups

Cardiovascular CoalitionKathy Kunath, Facilitator

Created a multi-organizational multi-disciplinary coalition to address thecardiovascular needs of Polk CountyresidentsConducted blood pressure and strokescreening at congregate meal sitesConducted education on the earlywarning signals of strokeDistributed “Search Your Heart” kits toarea churchesCreated a Fitness Resources DirectoryDistributed “Heart Power” kits to areagrade schoolsCompiled information regardingsmoking cessation programs, printingand distributing 20,000 brochuresCreated a Guide to Managing Stress

Clinical PreventiveServices Work GroupTony Bassett, Facilitator

Founded a Minority Health CoalitionConducted a study of the vulnerablepopulations in Polk County, andpublished resultsEstablished a Preventive ServicesTask ForceDistributed a guide to free andreduced-cost clinical services

Diabetes and ChronicDisabling ConditionsDr. William Jagiello, Facilitator

Obtained a grant from the WellmarkFoundation to do diabetes screeningEstablished a Health ImprovementTask ForceObtained a Wellmark grant fortreating children with asthma

“We have a betterdialogue now atthe county level onhealth issues. It hasreally changed.”

— Yvonne WelshhonsRetired Coordinator

Central Place FamilyResource Center,

Runnels

11Celebrating the Accomplishments Healthiertogether

CASE IN POINT

SchoolSmilesProgramIn Polk County, 95% of kinder-gartners in 2000 went through adental health screening. State-wide, the figure is only 66%.Why the difference? Much of thecredit belongs to the SchoolSmiles Program, a project of theDes Moines Health Center andcarried out in partnership withHealthy Polk.

The School Smiles Programtakes advantage of many of thestrengths of the Healthy Polkapproach to creating health andimproving quality of life for theentire community. It emphasizesprevention and education. Itmakes use of partnerships (inthis case with the schools) inorder to reach people with ahealth message where it will beeffective. And it is makingmeasurable progress towardsgoals.

According to Mike DeAnda,President and Chief ExecutiveOfficer of the Des Moines HealthCenter, “Good oral health isimportant to the success ofchildren in school. To preventtooth decay, we must teachchildren at an early age theskills necessary to maintaintheir own oral health. Ourpartnership with Healthy Polkcan have a lasting impact towardimproving the oral health of ourcommunity.”

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Energetic volunteers and committed organizations provide a great start towardsimproving health and quality of life, but it is even more impressive when there areresults. Since the Health Improvement Plan was developed in 1995 and 1996, theworkgroups of Healthy Polk 2000 have made major contributions toward meeting thePlan’s goals and actions steps. The nineteen Healthy Polk 2000 workgroups, withmore than 300 volunteers, have completed over 227 action steps. Here is a list of whathas been accomplished so far.

Alcohol and Other DrugsWork GroupNeila Seaman, Facilitator

Conducted intensive training for earlychildhood workers for children at riskSponsored alcohol free events during theDrake RelaysCollaborated with the City of Des Moines toimplement substance abuse prevention in theEnterprise CommunityCollaborated with the Red Cross to provideHIV/AIDS trainingCreated an interagency consortium ofsubstance abuse treatment providers

Cancer Work GroupColleen Lemkuil, Facilitator

Decreased the incidence of cancer amongPolk County women through education,screening, early detection and treatmentCollaborated with other agencies to bring theplay “For Our Daughters” to central IowaAnnual sponsor of the Race for the CureIncreased public awareness of the importanceof using sunscreenCoordinated educational programs in schoolsand business on early detection and treatmentof cancerProvided free prostate cancer screening atarea facilities

Education and CommunityBased ProgramsDaryl Vander Wilt, Facilitator

Presented The Health Improvement Plan tothe community in June, 1996Made formal presentations of the Plan tomultiple organizations in the communityDeveloped a video presentation aboutHealthy Polk 2000Conducted health fairs throughout thecommunity during Public Health WeekSurveyed employers to determine which offerwellness activities

Environmental HealthDr. Mary Krieg, Facilitator

Developed guidelines for response to abioterrorism, chemical or nuclear eventSupported implementation of the SafeDrinking Water Act in Polk CountySupported the reduction of substandard andsealing of abandoned wells in the countyEncouraged radon testing in homesSupported compliance to the Primary AmbientAir Quality Standards and the Clean Air ActContinued to support the evaluation ofhazardous waste sitesWorking with local governments to decreasethe number of abandoned and dilapidatedbuildings

Family Planning andMaternal Infant HealthMaryann Brekke &Mary Kay Casey, Facilitators

Conducted a survey to determine the avail-ability of family planning services in PolkCountyConvened a task force to act on these findingsCollaborated with Healthy Start to engageclients in the health care system

Food SafetyJohn Bien, Facilitator

Maintained a low incidence of salmonellaenteritis in Polk CountyPromoted better food handling practicesImproved pharmaceutical care by increasedpatient counseling

HIV Infection and SexuallyTransmitted DiseasesPat Breckenridge, Facilitator

Collaborated with the State Chlamydia ProjectIs working to link computer network report-ing of gonorrhea casesDecreased the cases of syphilis from 65 in1996 to 35 in 1997Implemented HPV project withDes Moines UniversityEncouraged legislative changes on thereporting of HIVCollected data on genital herpes

Immunization andInfectious DiseasesGinny Hancock, Facilitator

Added private providers to the Iowa StateImmunization Information System (ISIIS)Reduced the number of indigenous cases ofvaccine preventable disease in Polk CountyContinued work to reduce the number ofinfants who aquire Hepatitis B fromtheir mothersWorking to ensure children in Polk Countyhave completed basic immunizations by age 2Provided influenza and pneumoccocalvaccine to elderly and high risk populationsFormed a TB coalition to address this issueParticipates in immigrant immunizationprogramsEnsures appropriate physicians are partici-pating in the vaccine for children programDistributed educational material on childhoodimmunization, county wide

Lead PoisoningRenee Osberg, Facilitator

Created a coalition to address lead poisoningin Polk County

Mental HealthVicki Boelman, Facilitator

Developed a Guide to Mental Health Provid-ers in Polk CountyPresented a seminar on identifying childrenand adolescents at risk for suicide anddepressionCollaborates to provide annual depressionscreeningContinues to lobby for improved insurancecoverage of mental health services

“As youth, wedecided to dosomething aboutgetting anabandoned housecleaned up.We wrote letters,sent emails, andfinally the ownertook responsibility.”Desma Carter

“We’re not going toarrest our way out

of any problem.That’s why it is im-

portant that wemaintain communi-cation and collabo-

rate as much aspossible with groups

like Healthy Polk.”—Larry Rodgers

Des Moines Police Department

12 Healthiertogether Celebrating the Accomplishments

Celebrating the Accomplishments

Nutrition and Physical FitnessSusan Klein, Facilitator

Developed wellness standards for use inphysician officesImplemented the Team Nutrition projectPromotes family recreation at schools andreligious sitesImplemented the 99 in 99 fitness programWorksite Wellness Education packagedeveloped

Oral HealthMike DeAnda, Facilitator

Provides free oral health screening toelementary school-aged children inPolk CountyProvides free dental sealants to Polk CountychildrenPiloting an oral health care training programin 4 Polk County nursing homesWorking with area dentists to implement aprogram to provide free oral health care toadults in need

Survey and Data SystemsDr. Dean Wright, Facilitator

Compiled information from the behavioralrisk study and the Iowa Health IndicatorsTracking System for the PlanDistributed data to the Work Groupson an annual basis

Tobacco Work GroupKathy Kunath, Facilitator

Promotes legislative changes related totobacco prevention, especially among PolkCounty’s youthCreated a survey to work with Polk Countyhealth care providers who use tobaccoDistributing “Get the Facts” program to PolkCounty schoolsCompiled and printed information regardingthe smoking cessation programs in PolkCountyDeveloped the “Cool Kids and Cool CamelsDon’t Smoke” campaignCollaborates with Tobacco Free Iowa onmultiple activities

Unintentional InjuriesWork GroupSheila Lumley, Facilitator

Conducted the “Safety Town” project for PolkCounty school childrenWorking with senior centers to determineinjury prevention educational needsCollaborates with The Safe Kids Coalition

13Celebrating the Accomplishments Healthiertogether

CASE IN POINT

Safety Town“At the end of Safety Town, everychild goes home with a bikehelmet, smoke detector (withbatteries), and many safetyhandouts,” says Deputy DavidKnight of the Polk CountySheriff’s Office.

Safety Town is a project spon-sored by Healthy Polk to educatechildren on basic safety issues,such as safety on the bus,crossing the street, ridingbicycles, dealing with strangersand other topics. It is targeted toreach children entering kinder-garten in the Saydel SchoolDistrict. Parents and teachershave noted that kids who havegone through the program aremore likely to be safer whencrossing streets, less likely totalk to strangers and more likelyto tell someone about it whenthey do.

“Safety Town takes advantage,”says Knight, “of the manystrengths of the Healthy Polkapproach to creating safety andimproving the quality of life inthe community. We have re-ceived great praise from theschools, teachers and parents,and look forward to continuingwith this program.”

Celebratin

g the A

ccomplish

men

ts

Zero Tolerance forViolence CoalitionScarlett Lunning, Facilitator

Held a domestic violence conferencein conjunction with Mercy HospitalDeveloped “The Healing Path,” aguide for surviving domestic abuseMet with educators to discusspolicies to prevent violence in PolkCounty schoolsSupported SAVE (Stop All ViolenceEverywhere) DayPromotes October as DomesticViolence Awareness MonthProduced a brochure in partnershipwith the Community ConnectionsCoalition, with 10,000 copiesdistributed to schools in Polk CountyDeveloped educational materials ondependent elder abuse

di • a • loguedi -log’, -log’

n: an exchange of ideas or opinions

Building on Great Traditionsneigh’bor • li • ness

neigh”bor*li*nessn: a disposition to be friendly

and helpful to neighbors

14 Healthiertogether Building on Great Traditions

Why does Polk County have one of thebest healthy community initiatives in thecountry? What is it about this place wecall home that makes it such a fertileplace for positive change? Why have somany national organizations, such as theAnnie E. Casey Foundation, the USCoalition for Healthier Cities and

Communities, and Join Together (withfunding from the Robert Wood JohnsonFoundation) identified this place as high-potential?

In the words of one Polk County resi-dent, “We don’t have the mountains orthe ocean nearby, but what we do have

“We challenged communities around thecountry to accept responsibility forending discrimination in medicalinsurance and treatment against peoplewith drug and alcohol disease. DesMoines stepped forward with realcommitments from leaders in the publicand private sectors and a track record ofjoining together to face real problemsand get things done.”

—David RosenblumDirector, Join Together,which recently awarded

Des Moines a City Partner grant

“Through inclusive community-baseddialogues and by instituting a uniqueblend of Healthy Community and HealthyPeople 2010 frameworks, Healthy Polkhas become one of the outstandinghealthy community initiatives in America.Healthy Polk 2000 was a great exampleto other communities, and I’m sure thatHealthy Polk 2010 will also serve as animportant national benchmark.”

—John KeslerExecutive Director, Coalition for

Healthier Cities and Communities

“When we looked for places where acritical mass of people and organizationscould be mobilized to improve conditionsfor families and children in toughneighborhoods, we immediately thoughtof Des Moines and Polk County. Theleadership, policy climate, and trackrecord of community problem-solvingplace Des Moines in the forefront of citiesthat are incorporating thoughtful ideasinto explicit public policy.”

— Douglas W. NelsonPresident, Annie E. Casey Foundation

are traditions that help us identify andfocus on what’s important.” What arethese traditions? Different people wouldhave different responses, but three stickout as keys to how Polk County residentscontinue to make their home a specialplace: education, neighborliness, anddialogue.

e

ed • u • ca • tionej’ -ka’sh n

n: the knowledge or skill obtainedor developed by a learning process

eˆ ˆ

ˆ e

AARPAging Resources of Central IowaAIDS Project of Central IowaAltoona Medical ClinicAlzheimer’s Association - Mid Iowa ChapterAmerican Cancer SocietyAmerican Lung AssociationAmerican Heart AssociationAmerican Red CrossAnkeny Community EducationAnkeny Cornerstone RecoveryAnkeny Substance Abuse ProgramApria Health Care GroupAsian American Council of IowaAssociation of Iowa Hospitals

and Health SystemsBlank Children’s HospitalBroadlawns Medical CenterBroadlawns WIC ProgramCallahan Middle SchoolCenter for Healthy CommunitiesCentral Iowa Psychological ServicesChildren and Families of IowaChild & Family Policy CenterCommunicator NewspaperConsortium of Iowa Community CollegesCreative VisionsDes Moines Area La Leche LeagueDes Moines Area Religious CouncilDes Moines Assessor’s OfficeDes Moines Child & Adolescent GuidanceDes Moines City CouncilDes Moines Dental Hygienist’s AssociationDes Moines District Dental SocietyDes Moines Health CenterDes Moines Police DepartmentDes Moines Public HousingDes Moines Public LibraryDes Moines Public Schools -

Board of EducationDes Moines Public Schools -

Community EducationDes Moines Public Schools - Head StartDes Moines Public Schools - Health ServicesDes Moines Public Schools -

SUCCESS ProgramDes Moines University - Osteopathic

Medical CenterDiagnostic and Critical Care MedicineDivision of Adult Children & Family ServicesDoris Hicks Pack InstituteDrake UniversityDrake University - Early Head StartDrake University - Head StartDrake University - Department of NursingDrake University - Department of

Pharmacy PracticeDupont Pharmaceuticals

National Association for theMentally Ill of Iowa

Newton Medical ServicesNHS & Two Rivers Psyc.Noridian, Inc.Oakridge Neighborhood ServicesOlder Adult Service HISOSACSOsco PharmacyPACEPlanned Parenthood of Greater IowaPolk County Board of SupervisorsPolk County Department of

Community and Family ServicesPolk County Health DepartmentPolk County Health ServicesPolk County Manager’s OfficePolk County Medical AlliancePolk County Medical SocietyPolk County Senior ServicesPolk County Sheriff’s OfficePolk County Supplemental FoodPolk County Victims ServicesPolk County Youth ServicesPowell CDCPrevent-A-StrokePrevention Concepts, Inc.Principal Financial GroupProteusQuad Cities Minority AIDS ProjectQuality Management ConsultantsRadiology, PCSoutheast Polk School DistrictSudanese Case Manager/Refugee ServicesTiny Tot Child Care CenterTower Family Practice ClinicTower RadiologyUnited Mexican American Community CenterUnited WayUniversity of Iowa Hospital and ClinicUrban DreamsU.S. Attorney’s OfficeU. S. Senator Tom Harkin’s officeValley View VillageVeterans Administration Medical CenterViolence CenterVisiting Nurse ServicesWellmark FoundationWellness Council of Central IowaWestminster HouseYMCA of Greater Des MoinesYouth Policy Institute of IowaYoung Women’s Resource Center

Early Access/Heartland AreaEducation Agency

East Des Moines Family Care ClinicEmployee and Family ResourcesEnterprise CommunityEyerly-BallFamily Care PhysiciansFamily Enrichment CenterFamily Planning Council of IowaFamily Violence CenterGenerations Inc.Grace Lutheran ChurchGrandview CollegeHeart and Hands Health CenterHeartland Area Education Agency 11Helping Hands TherapyInfant Children & Family WellnessIowa Conference of the

United Church of ChristHealth Care Access NetworkHispanic Educational Resource CenterHome Instead Senior CareHopes/Healthy FamiliesHouse of MercyHuman Services Coordinating BoardHuman Services Planning AllianceHy-VeeInfant Children and Family WellnessIowa Crime Prevention AssociationIowa Dental Hygienist’s AssociationIowa Department of EducationIowa Department of Human ServicesIowa Department of Public HealthIowa Foundation of Medical CareIowa Health SystemIowa Homeless Youth ShelterIowa Lutheran HospitalIowa Lutheran Hospital/Iowa

Methodist Lactation ServicesIowa Methodist Medical CenterIowa Paint Manufacturing CompanyIowa State University - Polk County ExtensionJohn R. Grubb YMCAJohnston High SchoolLakeview Center for Senior HealthLatch-On ServicesLegal Aid SocietyLife Plus NowLutheran Social ServicesMarshalltown Medical and SurgicalMercy Clinics, Inc.Mercy College of Health SciencesMercy HospiceMercy Medical Center - Des MoinesMercy Franklin CenterMetropolitan Medical CenterMetro West Learning AcademyMid-City Vision Coalition

Participating Organizations

For their support with this publication,Healthy Polk would like to thank

The Polk County Board of Supervisors,The Annie E. Casey Foundation and

Community Initiatives, Inc.

15Participating Organizations Healthiertogether

A history of working togetherto create a healthier community.

Healthy Polk 2010Polk County Health Department

1907 Carpenter Avenue

Des Moines, IA 50314

T (515) 286.3926

F (515) 286.2033

E info@healthypolk.org

www.healthypolk.org