FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Health Department Releases Defiance County
Health Equity Report

March 28, 2023

Defiance County Health Department is excited to announce the release of the 2022 Defiance County Health Equity Report. The report uses recent data from the 2020 Census to compare different factors across Defiance County that affect a person’s health. Topics such as income, poverty, housing, disability status, and leading causes of death are compared among Defiance County census tracts. A census tract is a section of the county containing about 4,000 people—there are nine census tracts in Defiance County.

Health equity means everyone has a fair opportunity to achieve their full health potential. To achieve health equity, people must work together so everyone has a chance to live a healthier life, no matter who they are or where they live. “It is important to look at health factors and compare them across the county,” says Brian Heil, Health Promotion Coordinator. “By comparing results, the Health Department and other agencies can use information to develop or improve programs and policies in areas that need support”. Information in the Health Equity report is also used when applying for grants, or working with partner agencies. The Health Department encourages all agencies, public or private, to review the report.

Developing the 2022 Defiance County Health Equity Report was a collaboration between Defiance County Health Department and The Public Health Services Council of Ohio. The full report can be found at https://defiancecohealth.org/health-equity/

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