Farmington Valley Survey Shows Major Health Worries

Courtesy of FVHD

A recently completed community health survey shows folks in the Farmington Valley area are facing several health issues, including mental health, obesity and substance use problems.

The Farmington Valley Health District is the local health department which serves several area towns, including Avon, Canton, Farmington, Simsbury, Barkhamsted, Colebrook, East Granby, Hartland and New Hartford.

It recently released a community health assessment, which uses data from more than 20 different sources to describe the health status of the Farmington Valley.

The assessment examines topics such as health behaviors, health outcomes, youth health and social determinants of health.

An advisory group comprised of subject matter experts in a variety of areas helped guide the work.

"The health assessment will be used to develop a community health improvement plan that will outline strategies to improve health in the areas of greatest significance," wrote the FVHD in an announcement Monday afternoon.

While residents of the Farmington Valley on average enjoy overall better health compared to Connecticut as a whole, the health assessment identified a number of areas for improvement.

Falls among older adults, low seasonal flu vaccine uptake, high household radon levels, high proportions of overweight and obesity and poor mental health and substance use were some of the most pressing issues the assessment identified.

In addition, the report includes a wealth of information on a variety of topics, including educational attainment, income and poverty, employment, housing, transportation and access to care.

Over the next few months, the health district will be sharing the data and developing working groups in each of the priority areas.

Individuals and organizations with an interest or expertise in priority areas are encouraged to participate in the working groups and can either sign up at the fvhd.org website or by calling the health district at 860-352-2333.

For the full survey announcement, click on this link.

To view the full health assessment, click on this link at fvhd.org.