Greene County Public Health recently released plans to address the county’s healthcare concerns.

Public Health Director Becky Wolf says every five years, they conduct a countywide survey asking residents to talk about any healthcare-related concerns or issues. A plan is then developed to provide enhanced care and services after the top priorities are identified.

Wolf points out the largest concern based on the survey results was about the need for more mental health services. She says while some individuals don’t require hospitalization, they just need medication management or therapy services. She notes that the state closed its mental health facilities, decreasing the number of beds, but that the medical field has brought more awareness to this issue and more people are seeking help, including minors. 

Wolf states they have set a goal of a 50 percent increase in the number of behavioral health providers by 2028. She believes this can be accomplished through the implementation of tele-health services, additional mental health professionals at Greene County Medical Center, and supporting mid-level certification of registered nurses through a tuition assistance program, along with New Opportunities Behavioral Health program that hires master’s-prepared mental health and substance abuse clinicians.

Other goals public health has established include a five percent reduction in substance use, decreasing the number of head and neck cancers by 15 percent and a reduction in the rate of chronic-related disease deaths by two percent, all within the next five years. The results of the Greene County survey will be available on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services website.