(Pottawattamie Co.) Public Health officials reviewed the 2026-2028 Community Health Needs Assessment with the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The plan was developed using findings from the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment, along with extensive community input. Pottawattamie County Public Health developed the plan in partnership with healthcare providers, community organizations, educators, residents and regional partners. The goal is to establish shared priorities and strategies for improving community health over the next three years.
Maria Sieck, Administrator of Public Health, identified the three priority areas where collaborative action can have the greatest impact.
#1 – Social Determinants of Health.
Sieck highlighted that 12.2% of survey respondents went without electricity, water or heating within the last year, and 24.7% of respondents reported running out of food in the past year.
#2 – Access to Health Services
Sieck said 11.3% of residents responded that transportation makes it difficult to get to a doctor’s visit in the past year and 20.9% of residents stated that they had difficulty getting to appointments in the past year.
#3 – Mental Health
Community partners will use the plan as a framework for local initiatives, partnerships and community investments through 2028. Health priorities will be reevaluated toward the end of the implementation period to help guide future planning efforts.
The complete 2026–2028 Community Health Improvement Plan is available on the Pottawattamie County Public Health website.
