Community Health Assessments
The purpose of the Community Health Assessment is to describe the health status of the population, key health behaviors, describe determinants of health outcomes and behaviors, and examine root causes of ill health and health inequalities. A community health assessment and improvement plan is a collaborative, systemic process of collecting and analyzing data and information, mobilizing communities, developing priorities, garnering resources, and planning actions to improve the community’s health.
*The 2022 Barry County Community Health Assessment has been revised as of September 2023. Please use the most updated version below when referencing this document. If you are in need of community health data in the interim, please fill out a Health Data Request Form.
Community Health Improvement Plan
A Community Health Improvement Plan (or CHIP) is a long-term, systematic effort to address public health problems based on the results of community health assessment activities (on the left) and the community health improvement process.
A community health improvement plan is critical for developing policies and defining actions to target efforts that promote health.
Communicable Disease Reporting
The data in the Monthly Disease Reports are provisional, based on current reports in the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (MDSS) made by local public health departments. The MDSS is a dynamic, continually active system; total and year to date (YTD) disease counts are constantly changing as cases are investigated, confirmed as cases, or ruled out as not meeting the case definition. Each Monthly Disease Report reflects this constant activity as the numbers may slightly fluctuate each month. Therefore, it should be kept in mind that numbers in the Monthly Disease Reports are not final and should be used only to generally monitor trends over time. Unknown, suspect, probable, and confirmed cases of the reportable condition are included in the report.
An updated report is published each month. Specific data requests and questions should be directed to the following:
Aurelia Pena, Epidemiologist
APena@bedhd.org
Monthly Communicable Disease Reports:
BRFSS - Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
The BRFSS is the nation’s largest health-related telephone survey (landline or cell phone) and is conducted locally every three years. The survey is used to track the health of the population in Barry and Eaton counties, as well as creating and evaluating programs to support health and prevent disease. Advantage Research is conducting the survey on behalf of the Barry-Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD).
The survey collects data on the prevalence of various behaviors, health conditions, and preventive health care practices. The survey questions are based off questions developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). BEDHD partners with Ingham County Health Department (ICHD) and Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD) to tailor the questions and wording to the specific needs of the population in Barry and Eaton County and surrounding areas.
The BRFSS is an anonymous survey of randomly chosen residents aged 18 and older living in Barry or Eaton County. The information collected in the survey cannot be linked back to the participant. The data received will be analyzed by race, ethnicity, gender, education, income, location, etc. and used for the Community Health Needs Assessments and Community Health Improvement Plans completed in Barry and Eaton counties.
For questions about the BRFSS Survey, please contact: Aurelia Pena, Epidemiologist APena@bedhd.org
Influenza Surveillance Report
The Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) Report is available weekly during influenza season (October to May). This report highlights trends of ILI in Barry and Eaton Counties in comparison to the previous year. The data is provisional, based on current reports in the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (MDSS) made by local public health departments. The MDSS is a dynamic, continually active system; disease counts are constantly changing as cases are investigated, confirmed as cases, or ruled out as not meeting the case definition. National data is also included to highlight ILI activity level, hospitalizations, and deaths.
Questions about the report can be sent to Aurelia Pena at apena@bedhd.org.
Other Data Presentations
- Overdose Data-In-Action - Barry County, 2023:
- Overdose Data-In-Action - Eaton County, 2023:
- These reports take a look at Drug Overdose in Barry & Eaton Counties.
- Marijuana Use Data-In-Action, 2023: This report takes a look at Youth Marijuana Use in Eaton County.
- Alcohol Use Data-In-Action, 2022: This report takes a look at Youth Alcohol Use in Eaton County.
- Tobacco Use Data-In-Action - Barry County, 2022:
- Tobacco Use Data-In-Action - Eaton County, 2022:
- These reports take a look at Tobacco Use in Barry & Eaton Counties.
- Opioid Summit Presentation, 2022: Data presentation about opioid use, prevalence, and prevention in Eaton County.
[Page last updated: 09/15/2023]