A survey that the Guthrie County Public Health Department does every three years to assess the health needs in the community is coming back this year. 

Public Health Director Jotham Arber says starting in late May they will be handing out paper surveys and encouraging others to participate using the online survey they provide. Arber states this survey will ask questions that include the satisfaction with the Public Health Department, access to mental health care and housing, along with asking about primary care doctors and much more. Arber says the results from this survey will allow the Public Health Department to focus on weak areas. 

“We want to gather as much data as we can about all the facets of health in Guthrie County and we will have community meetings. We will invite the community to come and we will talk about what data we have collected and we will talk about our priorities but we want the community’s input.”

Arber says they will develop a health improvement plan based on the community’s input that will guide them for the next three years.