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Health & Well-being

To thrive, central Iowans need physical and mental well-being.

Health and Well-Being encompasses so many important and imperative aspects of our lives. Physical health, mental health, access to good and fresh food, access to quality healthcare, and more have a huge impact on our lives, and in central Iowa there are many who are lacking in some or all of these areas.

What’s the challenge?

Having sufficient income is tied to better outcomes in all areas of life – from physical and mental health to educational attainment and early childhood success. Poverty is stressful and tough: not only does it limit your ability to thrive, but it also reduces your freedom to make critical choices for your household from who you see for healthcare, to where you shop for groceries and where you live. Having sufficient income and opportunities to build wealth ensures that individuals and families can not only thrive in their generation, but also pass financial stability on to future generations so they can thrive.

Health and Well-Being encompasses so many important and imperative aspects of our lives. Physical health, mental health, access to good and fresh food, access to quality healthcare, and more have a huge impact on our lives, and in central Iowa there are many who are lacking in some or all of these areas.

HEALTH & WELL-BEING IN CENTRAL IOWA

  • 27%
    OF IOWA ADULTS SUFFER FROM A MENTAL ILLNESS

    That is approximately 649,000 individuals.

  • 51%
    OF YOUTH IN IOWA DO NOT RECEIVE THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THEY NEED

    Our state falls short of the number of mental healthcare providers needed to meet this challenge. In Iowa, there are 530 individuals for every 1 mental health provider.

  • 21%
    OF CENTRAL IOWA YOUTH SUFFER FROM DEPRESSIVE EPISODES

    More than half of Iowa youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment.

  • 16%
    OF CENTRAL IOWANS DO NOT HAVE A PRIMARY HEALTH PROVIDER

    That number increases to 31% for the Hispanic community in Iowa.

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Our Strategies

  • Reduce barriers to accessing regular, quality, culturally appropriate physical and mental health care (e.g., stigma, language, trust, cost, proximity, availability of workforce)
  • Promote and support central Iowans’ sense of purpose, belonging, and connectedness.
  • Advocate for policies and practices to improve Health and Well-Being systems and provide equitable access to central Iowans