Posted: Nov. 10, 2009

Health officials are encouraging residents to take part in a telephone survey regarding their health, saying the answers will guide community leaders in future decision-making.

The community health survey began last month and continues into November in many area communities.

Health officials will use the data collected to evaluate community needs and help government, nonprofit and volunteer organizations as they plan for the future.

Publicly maintaining privacy

The survey focuses on issues such as access to health care, tobacco and alcohol use, immunizations and mental health. It takes about 18 minutes to complete.

Some residents may be hesitant about participating, but all answers are anonymous, Greendale Health Officer Sue Shepeard said. Callers are not taking names, social security numbers or any demographic information.

"The word that I want to get out is that people shouldn't be alarmed if they get a call like that," Sue Shepeard said.

All types of phones

More than 400 residents will be interviewed by telephone, and it won't always be on landlines. Unlike previous surveys, some residents will be contacted on their cell phone.

"We recognize that more residents are using cell phones as their primary home phone and it's important that we reach a good cross section of our county," Oak Creek Health Officer Judi Price said in a news release.

Aurora's involvement

The survey is done in conjunction with Aurora Health Care and the Center for Urban Population Health Research. A grant from Aurora is paying for the surveys to be conducted.

Aurora Health Care spearheaded an initiative in 2003 across 30 eastern Wisconsin communities where more than 16,000 adults were surveyed. The surveys conducted now are follow ups to those done six years ago.

Results will be released later this year.