Health Department Releases 2018 Status of Health Report

The Garrett County Health Department released its 2018 Status of Health Report at the May Health Planning Council Meeting.

“By and large, the county is doing very well on most indicators,” said Health Officer Bob Stephens. “However, there are some areas of concern where we need work on making improvements.”

Stephens presented the report to the Garrett County Commissioners, who twice a year convene as Garrett County’s Board of Health, and the Health Planning Council members and visitors.

“In Garrett County we in public health are fortunate to participate in excellent collaborative efforts with the hospital, Community Action, public schools, Mountain Laurel and other community providers,” Stephens said. “The role of public health is to protect, assess, and assure individual, community, and environmental health, and reduce the toll from illness, injury, and environmental and other risks. The Annual Status of Health gives a snapshot of where we stand on achieving our goals.”

The Maryland State Health Improvement Process (SHIP) is the state Department of Health’s framework for counties to track continual progress toward a healthier community. The five focus areas include: healthy beginnings; healthy living; healthy communities; access to health care; and quality preventive care. A total of 39 measures are included within these five focus areas. Garrett County needs improvement in measures such as adolescent tobacco use, adult obesity, teen alcohol use, and adolescent well checks.

In addition to the measures specified by the SHIP, the Health Planning Council is also concerned about the following indicators: teen births, physical activity, affordable housing, food insecurities, transportation, teen wellness, and aging population.

The Garrett County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is being updated regularly, through the Health Planning Tool found at mygarrettcounty.com.

“This Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is unlike any other our community has ever had access to in the past,” said Shelley Argabrite, health planner. “This plan is living, and constantly being revised, updated, and worked on at mygarrettcounty.com, where anyone who lives, works, or plays in Garrett County has an opportunity to participate in the planning and implementation processes.”

The most up-to-date version of the CHIP can always be found at mygarrettcounty.com/chip/.

The complete 2018 Status of Health Report can be accessed at garretthealth.org/status-of-health/. Data sources for the status of health include State Health Improvement Process, SHIP Rankings by Jurisdiction; Census Data; Vital Statistics for Garrett County and Maryland; Behavioral Risk Factor Survey; Youth Risk Behavior Survey; Prevention Quality Indicators, PQI; and Robert Woods Johnson County Health Rankings & Roadmaps.

For more information about any of these topics call 301-334-7700 or visit the listed websites.

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