WSU and Weber-Morgan Health Seek Citizen Input on Health Assessment
OGDEN, Utah – Weber-Morgan Health Department and Weber State University are inviting the public to visit the health department to view and vote on a PhotoVoice project as part of the Weber-Morgan Community Health Assessment.This interactive display features photographs taken by residents illustrating what they see as good and bad about the health status in our communities. The public will have two opportunities to view the photos and select which health topics are important to them: April 25 at the Safe Kids Day event at Newgate Mall and April 27 to May 1 at the Weber-Morgan Health Department.
Results of the voting will be included in the findings of the health assessment, which will be presented later this year.
“We haven’t had a community health assessment in this area for at least 20 years, so this is a unique opportunity for residents to have their voice heard,” said Brian Bennion, executive director of the Weber-Morgan Health Department.
Students from WSU’s Jerry & Vickie Moyes College of Education, under the direction of Laura Santurri assistant professor of health education and human performance, are conducting the assessment in partnership with health department staff. Santurri and her students held 11 community focus groups in Weber and Morgan counties and queried partner agencies and other stakeholders for their opinions on the effectiveness of current services and consistently unmet needs in the community. They have also compiled socioeconomic, geographic and population data.
“Citizens in Weber County are happy about many things including a clear love of the physical beauty of the area, access to outdoor recreation, and the RAMP program, which funds recreation, arts, museums and parks,” Santurri said. “Citizens spoke also of challenges such as safety, social isolation, poor air quality, lack of resources for health, mental health and substance-abuse treatment. Poverty was mentioned, especially for the disabled.”
The assessment is designed to find ways to focus services to better address the needs of the community.
“The best way to help the community is to understand it,” Bennion said. “We are fortunate to have an outstanding public health program right here in our backyard to help us with our assessment.”
Early findings show that people are confused when it comes to knowing where the Weber-Morgan Health Department fits and the differences between local, state and national health agencies.
“The local level is really where the rubber meets the road when it comes to providing direct services to individuals, so we want to highlight that,” Bennion said.
Creating a photo exhibit to visualize the results of the assessment will help administrators see the counties’ health through the eyes of residents.
WSU health promotion senior Angela Stander attended every focus group and is helping to assemble the PhotoVoice exhibit.
“One thing I’ve learned in public health is the responsibility of the community’s health is on the community,” Stander said. “Community health is a group effort; we all have to get involved, and we need to help citizens help each other. One way to do that is to make sure everyone is aware of the health resources available to them.”
The photo exhibit happens to coincide with the 10th anniversary of when Weber-Morgan Health Department’s offices moved to the corner of 23rd and Adams St. in downtown Ogden. Before that time residents had to drive to several locations for the various services the health department provides. As part of the celebration, WMHD staff plans to highlight different programs through the week of the PhotoVoice event.
April 27: Clinical Services
- Free Vaccines for children’s immunizations for those with no insurance
- Free, confidential rapid HIV testing
- Enter to receive one of two free vehicle emission tests
- Free radon and lead test kits while supplies last
- Ask for one free second copy when purchasing a birth certificate
- Free children’s books in the WIC offices, while supplies last.
- Enter to receive one of two 72-hour kits
- Free copies of WMHD’s “Family Emergency Preparedness and Flu Home Care Guide”
- Enter to receive one of three free entries to participate in the Mayor’s Walk. Those who complete the 1-mile walk on May 15 will receive a commemorative T-shirt and coin as they cross the finish line of the Ogden City Marathon.
- Free “Kick Tobacco” official-sized soccer balls, CinePointe 6 Theater tickets, Quit Tobacco Kits and pedometers while supplies last.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
For high-resolution photos, please visit the following links:
wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2015-photos/April-2015/i-DXQkwDW/0/X2/IMG_0013-X2.jpg
wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2015-photos/April-2015/i-jPzqDxQ/0/X2/IMG_0206-X2.jpg
wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2015-photos/April-2015/i-BCbFdM7/0/X2/Truck%20air%20pollution-X2.jpg
wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2015-photos/April-2015/i-xLVrknV/0/X2/Walking%20feet-X2.jpg
wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2015-photos/April-2015/i-pbCBTGG/0/X2/IMG_4134-X2.jpg
wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2015-photos/April-2015/i-LWKwrQ5/0/X2/WMHD_10button-X2.jpg
- Lori Buttars, Weber-Morgan Health public information officer
801-399-7114 • lbuttars@co.weber.ut.us - Contact:
- Laura Santurri, health promotion and human performance assistant professor
801-626-6795 • laurasanturri@weber.edu
Lori Buttars, Weber-Morgan Health public information officer
801-399-7114 • lbuttars@co.weber.ut.us