Linn County Public Health (LCPH) has released a comprehensive survey of health in Linn County, The Health of Linn County, Iowa: A County-Wide Assessment of Health Status and Health Risks.

The report provides detailed analysis of the many factors that shape health—access to care, the surrounding environment, and the social and economic conditions present in everyday life. It goes beyond identifying key trends and emerging challenges; it also provides demographic data that can inform solutions. Linn County is the second-most populous county in Iowa, with more than 230,000 people calling it home. These residents do not form a homogenous group, but rather a diverse population with a wide array of backgrounds and experiences. To accurately assess the health of Linn County, this report analyzes health topics with respect to that diversity, evaluating how age, gender, race, income, and educational level interact with health behaviors and risks.

Key Takeaways

• Most residents of Linn County report good health and life expectancy remains strong—slightly higher than state and national averages.

• Rates of early and adequate prenatal care exceed national targets.

• Heart disease and cancer remain the leading causes of death in Linn County.

• Mental and behavioral health concerns are growing. Mental health conditions are a leading cause of hospitalization, reflecting a substantial behavioral health burden in the community.

• Disparities in health outcomes persist across racial and geographic lines.

The health profile is the result of months of work from LCPH epidemiologists. “The report is a significant service Linn County Public Health provides to its community,” said Dr. Dustin Arnold, Chair of the Linn County Board of Health. “It tells the story of how health in Linn County has changed, and it provides information we can use to continue improving the health of our entire population.”

“I am immensely proud of this report, both as it represents the hard work of my colleagues as well as how it will act as a powerful tool in bettering our community,” said Dr. Pramod Dwivedi, Health Director at Linn County Public Health. “It is my sincere hope this document will act as ‘one-stop shop’ for health topics in Linn County, serving residents by providing insights into the big picture of health in our community. Furthermore, I hope those insights fuel collaborative work to improve the health and well-being of every Linn County resident.”

The last year for which LCPH published a county health profile was 2022.

Find the full report on the Linn County website.