At the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, we believe that all people deserve the opportunity to lead a healthy life, no matter where they were born, live, learn, work or play. To build a foundation on which to act and make that vision a reality, we regularly conduct a Community Health Assessment, a process that helps us better understand the health of our residents and the many factors that influence it.

A CHA goes beyond merely collecting statistics on diseases and health outcomes. It also looks at factors that have a profound impact on our health, such as housing, income, mental health, access to care and more. By gathering input from community members and analyzing local, state and national data, we can identify the most pressing health concerns in our community and the barriers some residents face in achieving optimal health. This process ensures our work is focused on what matters most to the people we serve and allows us to work with the community to better address health inequities across our county.

2023-2024 Community Health Assessment

Our most recent CHA, conducted in 2023-2024, drew on insights from a wide range of sources, including:

• Residents from groups experiencing poorer health outcomes, such as people with lower incomes, those living with disabilities and people of color.
• A county-wide survey rating the factors that residents feel are most important to their health and well-being and whether those factors are in place locally.
• Input from local partners and organizations sharing their strengths and expertise.
• Health data from state and national sources covering behaviors, environments and outcomes.

All of this information is now available in two ways:

• Health Happens Here JoCo Dashboard: An interactive tool that brings the data to life.
• 2023–2024 Community Health Assessment PDF: A full report with detailed findings.

2025-2029 Community Health Improvement Plan

Once the data was collected and analyzed, the community shaped the path forward. In public meetings, residents discussed and voted on their top priorities for action, and the Public Health Leadership Council finalized four key areas for action:

1. Affordable Housing
2. Jobs with Livable Wages
3. Affordable Mental Health Treatment
4. Access to Affordable Health Insurance Coverage

These priorities reflect what our community identified as having the greatest impact on improving their health and well-being. Over the next five years, these priorities will guide our collective efforts to create policies, programs and measurable goals that improve health for everyone in Johnson County.

By improving access to stable housing, economic opportunity, mental health care and health insurance, we can prevent chronic diseases, reduce stress and trauma, and create healthier, more resilient communities. We recognize that not all Johnson County residents experience the same opportunities for health. Some of our neighbors continue to face systemic barriers that result in poorer health outcomes. Through the Community Health Improvement Plan, we are committed to closing these gaps and working toward a future where everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can thrive.

To ensure transparency and accountability, we are developing a CHIP Dashboard, which will be launched soon. This dashboard will enable the public to track progress toward our shared goals and view the impact of local health initiatives in real-time.