We have cleaner teeth and more of us have quit smoking, but we still need more exercise and better access to health care. Those are a few highlights from the Quad City Health Initiative's 2015 Community Health Needs Assessment. A consultant surveyed 900 residents and met with local professionals as part of the study.
It shows access to dental care has improved for adults and children over the last three years. And tobacco use is down, from 26% in 2012 to 18%.
But Pat Shouse, from Unity Point Health Trinity, says several problems persist for people living in Rock Island and Scott counties.
Even with expanded coverage under the Affordable Care Act, Shouse says people continue to go to emergency rooms when they should go to a doctor's office.
Next, Shouse and the other members of the study's steering committee will prioritize the needs, set goals, and work on them together.
The study was sponsored by the health initiative, Genesis Health System, Unity Point Health Trinity, the Rock Island and Scott County Health Departments, and Community Health Care.
The 200-page Community Health Assessment is available at QC Health Initiative.
