As part of their effort to determine where to direct efforts to improve community health, a Community Health Assessment Steering Committee made up of members from nine agencies conducted a recent scientific survey throughout the county.
They are still assessing the data collected, said Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti, but they found some 17 percent of those surveyed rated their overall health as unhealthy, and a third felt their health was being impacted by environmental issues.
Air and water quality were listed as the largest environmental concerns impacting health, he said.
“Some 76 percent felt their households were doing well, which I was a little surprised by,” Baldetti said. “I preface that with by the very nature my work, I usually hear more bad things than good. But responders were certainly positive and optimistic.”
On the other hand, Baldetti noted, that means 14 percent “don’t believe they’re doing well, which is a substantial number.”
One other finding he didn’t find too surprising but was still sobering, was the number of respondents that indicated they struggle with mental illness.
(Read more: Local – The Hutchinson News)