The Community Health Assessment is a primary tool of public health practice. Its aim is to describe the health of the community by gathering information on community members’ health status, community health needs and other local health problems. It seeks to identify target populations that may be at increased risk of poor health outcomes and to gain a better understanding of their needs, as well as assess the larger community environment and how it relates to the health of individuals.

The Community Health Assessment is a foundation for local public health planning. The development and completion of the survey gives the health department and other key community organizations the opportunity to hear directly from residents about their public and community health concerns. As the collective group reviews the survey results, a Community Health Improvement Plan will be developed to address, through policies and initiatives, methods to improve the overall health and well-being of our community.

For 2025, the Van Wert County Health Department contracted with Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service to complete the Community Health Assessment. 

Upon completion of the 2025 Community Health Assessment the Van Wert County General Health District and other community partners begin the process of developing the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). We are asking for feedback from the public. Please submit feedback via this survey link or submit written comments, questions, or other feedback about the Community Health Assessment (CHA) report to the Van Wert County Health Commissioner at ddowdy@vanwertcountyhealth.org. Please make sure to include details about what you are commenting on and if possible, a page number to the appropriate section of the document.

The health department is required to complete this survey every three years as part of the public health accreditation process. The data is also used to apply for grant funding and to support department services such as the Help Me Grow Home Visitor program.