Blaine County Health Department mailing out health assessment forms

Press release

The Blaine County Health Department, in conjunction with local health-related stakeholders, is conducting a Blaine County Health Assessment. The purpose of the assessment is to collect current, relevant data to guide future health programs and interventions that are geared toward the needs and desires of Blaine County residents.

The most recent Health Assessment was conducted by an out-of-county entity in 2012. Of more than 300 assessments mailed to selected households, only 40 assessments were returned. Unfortunately, this data was of very limited value.

The current assessment will be sent to more than 3,000 known mailing addresses in Blaine County. People’s participation would be greatly appreciated, and only requires a few minutes to fill out and return the assessment in the pre-paid postage envelope provided. Health department staff asked people to take this opportunity to let them know residents’ opinions of what they currently like, what they would like to see improved, or something that is needed that is not being addressed in both the public and private health sectors serving Blaine County.

The assessments are scheduled to be mailed out on or about Friday and responses should be returned in the postage-paid envelope by Dec. 31. All responses will remain anonymous. The only tracking will be the color-coded postal zip-code on each envelope, which will allow assessors to group responses by geographic location in the county.

Funding for the Community Health Assessment is being provided through a grant by the Montana Healthcare Foundation.

Question regarding the Community Health Assessment can be directed to the Blaine County Health Department at 357-2345.