Community Health Policy & Planning

The Peoria City/County Health Department participates in community-wide population health planning to identify and prioritize health needs and quality of life issues, map and leverage community resources, and form effective partnerships to implement health improvement strategies in Peoria County.

Multiple organizations and sectors participated in the Tri-county Community Health Needs Assessment and Plan for Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties and identified four strategic community health priority areas:

• Behavioral Health
• Healthy Eating and Active Living
• Cancer - Lung and Breast
• Reproductive Health

Community Health Improvement Project Targets Obesity Risk Factors

This 3-year project focused on a community-based collaborative to improve the health and well-being of children and families in Peoria by targeting obesity risk factors in youth and adults. Data showing high rates of obesity and other health risk factors in zip codes 61603 and 61605 prompted a collaborative effort with Hult Center for Healthy Living, Greater Peoria YMCA, and Gifts in the Moment Foundation.

The project targeting risk factors for obesity included physical activity and nutrition programs at schools, at after school sites, and at community locations servicing the targeted zip codes. Programs measured an increase in participation in physical activity, built skills in food shopping and nutrition, and promoted consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

The 3-year pilot project ended in 2018 and now continues with sustainable policies in nutrition and physical activity throughout the community.

Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities

Smoking tobacco is the single most important preventable cause of illness and death in the United States. The Illinois Tobacco-Free Communities program in Peoria County supports policy development for tobacco-free lifestyles, enforces the Smoke-free Illinois Act, and addresses lung cancer as a community health priority.

With a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health, we partner with Hult Center for Healthy Living, Peoria County Sheriff's Office, and community organizations to promote tobacco-free lifestyles.