Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

  SUBJECT:            Public Health Survey

Did you know that in 2003 almost 80% of Genesee County residents rated their health as Excellent, Very Good, or Good? Or that 72% of Genesee County households had at least one member participate in an activity to improve their neighborhood or take care of a local problem? Do you wonder if these responses have stayed the same or changed in the last two years? Community members can help us find out. March marks the beginning of the second round of a community-wide effort to monitor the health of Flint and Genesee County residents.  The 2005 Speak to Your Health! Community Survey, sponsored by the Prevention Research Center of Michigan, the Genesee County Health Department, and the Greater Flint Health Coalition, will collect important information about the health status and quality of life of Genesee County residents.  1700 residents throughout the county will be randomly selected to participate in the telephone survey.  Residents chosen will be asked about a variety of health issues, including access to health care, neighborhood issues, health status, health behaviors, and more.

            “The Speak to your Health! Community Survey gives us a snapshot of Genesee County ’s health. When contrasted with the results from the 2003 survey, we’ll know what’s gotten better, worse, or stayed the same,” says Robert M. Pestronk, Health Officer of the Genesee County Health Department.

The Prevention Research Center of Michigan is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is a partnership among Faith Access to Community Economic Development (FACED), the Flint/Genesee County Neighborhood Roundtable, Flint Odyssey House, Inc. Health Awareness Center, Genesee County Community Action Resource Department, Genesee County Health Department, Greater Flint Health Coalition, University of Michigan-Flint, and University of Michigan School of Public Health.

The survey will be administered by the Michigan Public Health Institute. Results of the 2003 Speak to Your Health! Community Survey are available at http://www.sph.umich.edu/prc or by calling 810-768-7970. Results of the 2005 survey will be available to the community later this year. “Knowledge is wealth, and this survey will ensure that community residents’ voices are heard,” says Lee Bell, Education and Training Chair of the Flint/Genesee County Neighborhood Roundtable. “If you are one of the fortunate residents called, be sure to Speak to Your Health!”