SHOW’s survey staff measures the health of state residents. (Photo by Phoebe Frenette, SHOW)
Soda during a movie or water at the gym? The decisions Layton Boulevard West residents make about what to eat, how much to exercise and how often to get a checkup contribute to the health status of the community.
The Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) conducts surveys and health assessments to determine how healthy residents of different neighborhoods are. During the weeks of March 5, March 12 and March 26 SHOW will be visiting Layton Boulevard West.
Since 2008, SHOW has gathered information related to personal choices and community access to healthy foods. Survey topics include medical history, diet/food choices, fitness and medication history.
“This is data we can all use. We don’t have experience with health outcomes in our neighborhoods, and one of our objectives is to work on this. We would like to work with a group that has this kind of experience,” said, Dan Adams, neighborhood plan coordinator at Layton Boulevard West Neighbors (LBWN).
The SHOW Mobile Survey Center will be in Layton Boulevard West in March. (Photo by Phoebe Frenette, SHOW)
In addition to the survey, each participant is invited to complete a free health assessment measuring blood pressure, heart rate, height and weight.
“What makes SHOW unique and hopefully valuable is that we don’t look at any one disease; we look at a number of health issues and health values,” said Mary Farrell Stieve, communications coordinator for SHOW.
The completed results are entered into a database to help the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and local physicians understand health-related issues. They are able to see whether health is improving in Wisconsin and what needs to change for a healthier future.
SHOW is sponsored by National Institutes of Health’s Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and the Wisconsin Partnership Fund for a Healthy Future through the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
For more information, call 888-433-7649.
