The most pressing health needs in Linn County are evolving. After extensive research and community input, the Together! Healthy Linn coalition has identified the top health priorities in the county. Now we invite the public to work with us in developing a plan to address these needs.

The 2025 – 2027 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) will focus on three key priorities, informed by data from the Community Health Assessment (CHA).

• Access to Healthcare: Are people/communities able to get to a health care provider? Can they access transportation, health insurance, specialty services? If they need help navigating care, are they able to find it? Are translation/interpretation services available in a patient’s first interaction with a provider?

• Chronic Illness Prevention & Management: How can we reduce the risk of chronic illness, particularly in disproportionately impacted communities? Also, how can we better treat and manage chronic illnesses in the county?

• Support Mental Health: This priority focuses on prevention as well as treatment. We’re particularly interested in bolstering supports for populations with increased levels of poor mental health such as LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, people of color, and young people.

The plan will also include a dedicated policy work group, and we’re seeking community members to help explore policy solutions and systemic changes that will drive long-term improvements in each priority area.

If you are a member of an organization that serves the community, or simply a person who wants to be a part of positive change, we invite you to attend our meetings. Each one will focus on a different priority:

Mental Health Support March 4

• 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Chronic Illness Prevention & Management March 6

• 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

All meetings will be in Conference Room 234A in Linn County Public Health at 1020 Sixth St. SE in Cedar Rapids.

At these meetings, we’ll develop specific goals and strategies for addressing these challenges over the next three years.