2013 Weld County Community Health Survey

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "2013 Weld County Community Health Survey"

Patricia Jackson
5 years ago
Views:

2013 Weld County Community Health Survey 5/26/2015 Resident Write-in Comments Summary The 2013 Weld Community Health Survey asked residents to answer the question,

1 2013 Weld County Community Health Survey 5/26/2015 Resident Write-in Comments Summary The 2013 Weld Community Health Survey asked residents to answer the question, What suggestions do you have on ways to make Weld County a healthier place to live, work, and play? Over 550 residents wrote over 900 comments that are summarized here.

2013 Weld County Community Health Survey RESIDENT WRITE- IN COMMENTS SUMMARY BACKGROUND The 2013 Weld Community Health Survey asked residents to answer the question, What suggestions do you have on

2 2013 Weld County Community Health Survey RESIDENT WRITE- IN COMMENTS SUMMARY BACKGROUND The 2013 Weld Community Health Survey asked residents to answer the question, What suggestions do you have on ways to make Weld County a healthier place to live, work, and play? Over 550 out of 2,082 residents wrote over 900 comments that were coded first into 22 main topical themes and then into over 100 subthemes. Comments were coded by one trained analyst and then checked by a second trained analyst. The analysts read through all comments and identified a list of recurring themes. Themes could be general or specific and arranged hierarchically. The themes and sub-themes refer to content, attitude, or some other aspect of the comment. Comments could be coded into more than one theme or sub-theme. The counts and list of main themes can be found in Figure 1 below. FIGURE Weld County Resident Written Comment by Theme (n=926) 140 Number of Comments Page 1

3 TOP THEMES Countywide, four topic areas accounted for most of the comments. They were: 1. Trail and Road Improvements or Safety (152) 2. Recreation (97) 3. Fracking/Oil & Gas (75) 4. Environmental Safety (74) 2013 Weld County Community Health Survey The trail and road improvement comments included the following sub-themes: biking and walking, trails and lanes, road repair or improvement, distracted/dui driving, and industry traffic. The recreation comments included the following sub-themes: access to outdoor recreation, youth activity/events/centers, cost, dog parks, and hunting or fishing. The fracking, oil & gas comments included the following sub-themes: ban or limit, regulate or monitor, and proximity to schools or residences. The environmental safety comments included the following sub-themes: mosquito and fly control, air quality and pollution, and drinking water. TOP SUB-THEMES Once the comments were categorized into main themes, they were coded into sub-themes. The top subthemes, according to their frequency of mention (counts in parentheses), are listed below: Biking/Walking on Trails or Lanes (104) Weld Compliments (42) Ban/Limit Fracking/Oil & Gas (39) Mosquito/Fly Control (37) Access to Outdoor Recreation (30) Housing Appearance/Trash/Weeds (28) Road Repair/Improvement (24) Gangs & Law Enforcement (23) Youth Activity/Events/Centers (22) Regulate/Monitor Fracking/Oil & Gas (22) Three of the sub-themes were related to active living and improving physical activity (biking/walking on trails or lanes, access to outdoor recreation, and youth activity/events/centers). Three sub-themes were related to the built environment (biking/walking on trails or lanes, housing appearance/trash/weeds, and road repair/improvement). Two sub-themes were related to oil and gas development. The majority of comments pertaining to the top sub-theme expressed the desire to have more parks, trails, and paths for walking, biking, and walking dogs. Over 90 of the 104 comments related directly to increasing the amount of infrastructure for walking and biking. The sub-theme of complimentary comments about Weld County is discussed in more detail on pages 8 to 9. Page 2

4 REGIONAL THEMES 2013 Weld County Community Health Survey Themes were also analyzed by four geographic sub-areas of the county (see Figure 2). These four areas were identified because they represent the geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity of Weld County. Three areas (North, Southwest, and Southeast) roughly correspond to political boundaries of the county s elected officials. The fourth area corresponds to the municipality boundaries of Greeley and Evans. The North region included Windsor, Eaton, Ault, and other communities to the north; the Southwest Region included Firestone, Frederick, Johnstown, Mead, Milliken, Platteville, and more; the Southeast region included Dacono, Erie, Ft. Lupton, Kersey, La Salle, and more; and the Central Region included Greeley and Evans. Regional themes were reported here if there were three or more comments in a category. Other comments and complimentary comments were not analyzed by region and are not reported here. FIGURE 2 North Region There were 162 comments coded into 14 main themes from the North Region (see Figure 3). The three top themes in order of frequency of mention were: trail or road improvements or safety; fracking, oil and gas; and environmental safety. Most of the trail or road improvement comments pertained to increasing trails, bike, and walk paths. Most of the fracking and oil and gas-related comments pertained to banning or limiting the industry. Most of the environmental safety related comments from North residents pertained to air and water quality concerns directly related to the oil and gas industry. There were also several comments about continuing or increasing mosquito control. N ORTH R EGION Better trails and lighting on streets. Pave the Great Western bike trail to Severance, but have dirt on the side for runners. North Resident Comment T OP T HEMES 1 Trail/Road Improvements 2 Fracking/Oil & Gas 3 Environmental Safety Page 3

5 FIGURE 3 25% Percent of Comments 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% North Region Resident Written Comments by Theme (n=162) Regularly test for pollutants so they are detected before they become a health hazard, especially in air and water ways. North Resident Comment Weld County needs to be more concerned about effects of the oil industry close drilling to homes, impacts on road conditions, crumbling roads, and effects to air conditions. North Resident Comment Several residents also commented on health care. Residents commenting on health care spoke about assuring accessible and affordable care, Obamacare, and improving services for behavioral health and reproductive health. A couple of residents made positive comments about the long-time Greeley-based hospital system. Southwest Region There were 129 comments coded into 14 main themes from the Southwest Region (see Figure 4). The three top themes in order of frequency of mention were: trail or road improvements or safety; S OUTHWEST R EGION T OP T HEMES recreation; and fracking, oil and gas. Almost all the comments 1 Trail/Road Improvements pertaining to trail or road improvements were about increasing and 2 Recreation improving trails, bike or walk paths. A few comments pertained to 3 Fracking/Oil & Gas concerns about traffic safety. Southwest residents expressed a desire to increase indoor recreation options especially in the Johnstown area. They also suggested having more recreation options for youth. Most of the fracking and oil and gasrelated comments pertained to banning or limiting the industry. Bike paths, walk ways, sidewalks - Weld County has islands of developed home communities but nothing that connects them except county roads. Several Southwest Region residents also commented on food access and healthy food. Residents expressed the desire either to have more farmer s markets or to have more markets and grocery stores located close by. Southwest Resident Comment Page 4

6 FIGURE 4 During winter, have more indoor free play places for children. Southwest Resident Comment Get a handle on all the oil and gas drilling and the many trucks traffic and pollution. Percent of Comments Southwest Region Resident Written Comments by Theme (n=129) 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Southwest Resident Comment Southeast Region There were 155 comments coded into 17 main themes from the Southeast Region (see Figure 5). The three top themes in order of frequency of mention were: trail or road improvements or safety; environmental safety; and recreation. Similar to the Southwest Region, almost all Southeast resident comments pertaining to trail or road improvements were about increasing and improving trails, bike or walk paths. The remaining comments pertained to making road improvements, especially around paving more dirt roads to reduce dust. Most of the environmental safety related comments from Southeast residents were about mosquito and fly control. The most frequently mentioned theme for Southeast residents pertaining to recreation was the desire to have more outdoor parks, green areas, and play space. S OUTHEAST R EGION T OP T HREE T HEMES 1 Trail/Road Improvements 2 Environmental Safety 3 Recreation Residents in the Southeast also made quite a few comments about politics and government and the fracking and oil and gas industry. Some of the political-oriented comments pertained to a countywide ballot issue that was being voted on during the time the survey was being conducted. Most of the fracking and oil and gas-related comments pertained to banning or limiting the industry. Provide wider bike lanes on two lane roads. Would improve safety and encourage more bicyclists. Southeast Resident Comment Cut down the number of mosquitoes was infected by West Nile Virus and sick for two months. Southeast Resident Comment We need more public areas for play or recreation. Southeast Resident Comment Page 5

FIGURE 5 Southeast Region Resident Written Comments by Theme (n=155) 25% Percent of Comments 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Greeley/Evans Region There were 379 comments coded into 19 main themes from the

7 FIGURE 5 Southeast Region Resident Written Comments by Theme (n=155) 25% Percent of Comments 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Greeley/Evans Region There were 379 comments coded into 19 main themes from the Greeley/Evans Region (see Figure 6). The three top themes in order of frequency of mention were: trail or road improvements or safety; recreation; and environmental safety. The most frequently mentioned sub-theme pertaining to trail or road improvements among Greeley/Evans residents was about increasing and improving trails, bike or walk paths. The remaining comments pertained to having better and safer roadways. Greeley/Evans residents expressed a desire to have more parks, playgrounds, and open space as well as more recreation options for youth. Most of the environmental safety related comments from Greeley/Evans residents expressed a desire to spray for mosquitos. However, there were nearly as many comments pertaining to air and water quality concerns directly related to the oil and gas industry. G REELEY/EVANS R EGION T OP T HREE T HEMES 1 Trail/Road Improvements 2 Recreation 3 Environmental Safety Improve the trail system within the city and connect to nearby communities. Greeley/Evans Resident Comment I think we need more places for kids to have fun or activities to do. Greeley/Evans Resident Comment Spray for mosquitos and treat run off areas. What happened to the mosquito program? Greeley/Evans Resident Comment Page 6

$FIGURE 6 Greeley/Evans Region Resident Written Comments by Theme (n=379) 25% Percent of Comments 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Greeley/Evans residents also made quite a few comments on fracking and the oil and$

8 FIGURE 6 Greeley/Evans Region Resident Written Comments by Theme (n=379) 25% Percent of Comments 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Greeley/Evans residents also made quite a few comments on fracking and the oil and gas industry, health care, housing, communities, neighborhoods, and law enforcement. Most of the fracking and oil and gasrelated comments pertained to banning or limiting the industry. Residents commenting on health care spoke about health care costs, Obamacare, and maintaining and improving services for behavioral health and reproductive health. The majority of Greeley/Evans comments pertaining to housing, communities, and neighborhoods revolved around trash, weeds, garbage and other items that need to be cleaned up in certain areas. The most frequently mentioned law enforcement sub-theme pertained to controlling and eliminating gang activity. COMPLIMENTARY COMMENTS ABOUT WELD COUNTY It is important to note that in response to this question over 40 comments were identified as complimentary toward Weld County. Most of these comments remarked on what a great and healthy place Weld County is to live. Samples of the comments are listed here: Keep up the work you have for all in our community and make sure children come first. I moved to Weld County because of its healthier living. I feel I live in a very healthy place. I m very satisfied with Weld County as a place to live. Page 7

9 I think the county is rich in resources and a wonderful place to live and play. Keep up doing your best to keep Greeley a great place to live. Erie is an enjoyable and healthy place to live. I live close to Boulder and Broomfield Counties, and am glad I live in Weld county. We feel we live in the best county in the world and are very grateful. Thank you for the parks, libraries, neighborhood trails, etc. Thank you for the good assistance during the flooding. We are very grateful! Firestone is great! Weld County is a wonderful place to live. I think Weld County overall is a healthy place to live. We love Weld County! In the time we have lived here, we have found Weld County to be a great place to live. I am a proud resident of Weld County. CONCLUSION Over 20 main themes on a wide variety of topics and 100 sub-themes were mentioned by county residents in answer to the question, What suggestions do you have on ways to make Weld County a healthier place to live, work, and play? The most frequently mentioned suggestion in all four regions pertained to trail and road improvements or safety with most comments focused on improving or increasing trails, bike lanes, and walking paths. Improving and increasing recreation opportunities was one of the top themes mentioned in three out of the four regions. The environment safety theme was also a top theme in three out of the four regions and fracking and oil and gas industry concerns was a top theme in two out of the four regions. One sub-theme worth mentioning pertained to residents desire for improved mosquito and fly control. Finally, it is important to note that many residents already felt that Weld County was a healthy place and expressed satisfaction about living in Weld County. This information as well as the other results from the 2013 Community Health Survey will be used by Weld County and its partners to further shape Weld County s community health improvement plan, the Health Department s strategic plan, and the community s priorities in order to help direct future health improvement efforts. The health department would like to again thank all the residents who volunteered their time to complete this survey. For questions or comments, contact Cindy Kronauge at , ext or ckronauge@weldgov.com. Page 8

50 Largest U.S. Metropolitan Areas

America s Racially : Opportunities and Challenges 50 Largest U.S. Metropolitan Areas Community types in the 50 largest metropolitan areas 39,333,003 14,533,326 16,983,337 9% 10% 47,406,687 49,199,197 30,180,578