DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Update On Community Health And Access
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on Community Health and Access in Dakota County.
SUMMARY
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. ? 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of a community health board under Minn. Stat. ch. 145A, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents.
Health is defined as the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or injury. Ability to access care is affected by insurance coverage, cost, language and cultural barriers, availability of providers, and transportation. People who are not able to access care are at increased risk for serious medical problems, premature mortality, and poor health outcomes. Inability to access healthcare often results in receiving medical treatment later in the course of illness and in more costly settings, which increases the financial burden on the healthcare system.
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners has identified community health and well-being as a priority, with a focus on pursuing health care access for uninsured and underinsured individuals. The 2023 Dakota County Community Health Assessment identifies access to medical and dental care - particularly for uninsured and underinsured individuals - as a critical issue, ranking it among the top community concerns and a priority for the 2025-2029 Community Health Improvement Plan (Attachments: 2023 Community Health Assessment and 2025-2029 Community Health Improvement Plan).
Access to and linkage with care is one of the five foundational areas of public health (Attachment: Foundational Public Health Services Framework). As a nationally accredited Public Health Department, Dakota County is also required to contribute to an effective system that enables equ...
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