Phase 1: Delaware County Page | 1

Running head: Phase 1: Delaware County

Phase 1, Organize for Success/Partnership Development

Josh Matthews
Benedictine University
 Phase 1: Delaware County Page | 2

Delaware County, Ohio has two primary concerns and needs when addressing health and

health determinants; community and environmental health. As the fastest growing county in

Ohio health needs are first and foremost concerns to continue that trend. Environmental health is

a critical aspect of community health as a rural county that places great emphasis on its natural

attributes. Community health is the other primary focus that has been emphasized within the

counties growth. The commonality to increasing the communities health and wellbeing is

prevention, and strategies that involve everyone as well as are easily implemented while

incorporating stakeholders.

Environmental health encompasses many unique aspects of more rural communities that may

be of less importance in a more urban community. Overdevelopment, conservation, natural

energy sources, farmland preservation, and park, trail, and nature way improvement and

preservation are all examples of serious focal points of the rural nature and priority of Delaware

County (DCEHP, 2013). There are many important topics within the prevention minded public

health eye of Delaware County and community health. As with the trend of the nation and state,

obesity is a very high priority. Obesity is related to many health problems. Personal health and

preventative care are attributed to weight loss, improved dietary habits, and lowering the risk of a

sizable list of diseases and health complications and chronic disease. Access to healthcare is a

very important concern for the county, as is with the nation. The link to socioeconomic status is

not only in affording healthcare, but also in how poverty and associated deterrents contribute to

the breakdown in the chain of healthcare. Behaviors attributed to (health) risks such as smoking,

eating habits, weight, and drinking are examples and all of which are lower than the state

average, though still impacting the health of the county (Healthy Ohio, 2008).
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The preparatory phase of a health initiative the county has a very solid foundation in that

community is both highly involved, the health department has well documented information and

statistics to support the needs of the region. Delaware county has much in the way of

stakeholders and contributors for the health of the community. The various partnerships,

contributors, and healthcare professionals that are a part of the program can be split into roles to

focus on various needs. Committees potentially could include overseeing direction and

maintaining the integrity of the vision, epidemiology and statistical gathering and interpretation,

and communicating and bridging between the community, stakeholders, healthcare providers,

environmental services, and professional and technical staffing. Delaware has many resources

between public health officials, practitioners of local health systems, first responders, elected

officials, non-profit and for-profit health service organizations, community organizations,

religious groups, local businesses, and the community itself (CTB, n.d.).

Appendix
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MAPP Steering Committee Members

Essential Public Health

Recommended Service/Social
Position Within Determinant of Health
Organization Organization Organization Address Area
Preservation Parks Natural preservation 2656 Hogback Rd, Environmental
and education Sunbury, OH 43074
Delaware General Health Information 13 W Winter St, Health
District gathering and Delaware, OH 43015
statistics
Ohio Wesleyan 61 S. Sandusky Street, Education
University Communications Delaware, OH 43015
American Red Cross Education/ Social 380 Hills Miller Rd, Social
services Delaware, OH 43015
United Way 40 N Sandusky St, Social
Support functions Delaware, OH 43015
Delaware County Police 70 N. Union Street Emergency services
Department EMS and safety Delaware, 43015
Delaware County Fire various Emergency services
Department and EMS EMS and safety
OhioHealth 561 W Central Ave, Health
Healthcare education Delaware, OH 43015
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References

Community Tool Box (n.d.). MAPP: mobilizing for action through planning and partnerships.

Retrieved from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/overview/models-for-community-

health-and-development/mapp/main

Delaware General Health District (2013). Delaware County environmental health profile.

Retrieved from http://www.delawarehealth.org/files/files/2013%20Environmental

%20Health%20Profile_Final.pdf

The Ohio department of Health (2008). Healthy Ohio the state of living well. Retrieved from

http://www.healthy.ohio.gov/comprofiles/delaware.pdf