Shawnee County Partners Release 2023-2025 CHIP

Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods (HHN), a community coalition whose mission is to mobilize the community to take action on health priorities is excited to announce the official release and publication of the 2023-2025 Shawnee County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The CHIP was a collective, community-driven effort and this year’s update embodies the concept of “Upstream Health.” An upstream approach to health challenges a community to think critically about the social determinants of heath, and utilizes policies, systems and environmental changes to create a community in which every resident in Topeka and Shawnee County has the ability to live a healthy life regardless of their education, income level, or ZIP code.

Improving the health of our community will be accomplished by focusing on four strategic areas in the CHIP: 1.) Behavioral Health, 2.) Access to Food, 3.) Substance Use, and 4.) Health Equity.

Each area has specific goals and objectives to measure progress over the next three years. The plan establishes a framework for community organizations, municipalities, schools, residents and other stakeholders to work together towards improving the health of the Topeka/Shawnee County community.

“Addressing the social determinants of health on this scale is complex, and the arc of change is long. This work involves looking beyond our own individual or organizational strategies and priorities and creating a collective framework that addresses the inequities of the present in order to create greater equity both now and in the future.,” said Brett Martin, Chair of Heartland Healthy Neighborhoods.

The full CHIP is available for viewing at the following locations:

Stormont Vail Health: https://www.stormontvail.org/we-are-stormont/community-connection/community-health-planning/.

Shawnee County Health Department: https://www.snco.us/HD/Document/SNCO_CHIP_2023-25.pdf.

The CHIP was developed based on the results of the 2021 Shawnee County Community Health Needs Assessment as well as numerous public stakeholder meetings and focus groups to gather input directly from residents and key stakeholders.

To stay updated on the work of HHN and receive updates on the Shawnee County 2023-2025 CHIP, follow and like HHN’s Facebook and Twitter pages. For questions or more information, contact HHN Director, Sarah Karns at skarns@unitedwaytopeka.org or (785)228-5112.