GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – To help improve health in Brown County, the Beyond Health Steering Committee announced their focus priorities for the next three years.
Results from a summit last year showed the need for action in the areas of mental health, drugs and alcohol and obesity.
The committee announced a call for action Friday morning at the Brown County Health Department. Members asked for the community to join them in fighting these problems.
Many Brown County residents are said to be at an unhealthy weight.
Beyond Health Committee Chair Anna Destree says it comes down to food choices.
“They may have access to foods but not nutritious foods.”
Brown County has the highest number of residents in the state that reported binge drinking. Destree says the culture in the county plays into that.
“It is not surprising when we live in a community that has a National Football League team and some of the entertainment that we do.”
There is also a call to have more help available for mental health.
The assessment shows that 1 in 10 county residents is food insecure, Brown County has the highest number of residents in the state that reported binge drinking and there is just one mental health professional for every 620 Brown County residents.
Destree says identifying the problem is just part of the battle, she says it will take a strong effort from everyone.
“It is Beyond Heath, it is systems and it is the individuals. It really takes all of us together to make a change.”
A task force has been created for each of the focus priorities.
