FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 14, 2013

Contact: Greg Wilkinson, DHSS, 907-269-7285, Cell 907-382-7032, gregory.wilkinson@alaska.gov
Fiona Brosnan, ANTHC, 907-729-1967, Cell 907-350-8495, fmbrosnan@anthc.org

State and Native Health Consortium continue work to assess health needs in Alaska

Second survey open to the public through Feb. 28

ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium have launched their second survey in an effort to assess Alaskans’ wants, needs and vision for the future of health and health care in Alaska.

The initial survey ran between Sept. 17 and Oct. 22, 2012. More than 1,500 Alaskans responded to the survey, listing such health priorities as alcohol use and abuse; the cost of health care; and diet, exercise and obesity as their principal health concerns.

The second survey is designed to shorten the current list of 71 health indicators to the top 25 Alaskans feel are most important. The Healthy Alaskans 2020 initiative will track the state’s progress in meeting these top health priorities between now and 2020.

All Alaskans are welcome and encouraged to participate in the process by accessing the Healthy Alaskans 2020 website at http://ha2020.alaska.gov/ before Feb. 28, 2013, to take the second brief 10–15 minute survey. Alaskans are also encouraged to register for the program’s GovDelivery email distribution list to receive updates and notice of other opportunities to stay involved throughout the process.

Healthy Alaskans 2020 is part of the national Healthy People 2020 project to provide science-based, 10-year national objectives for ambitious — yet achievable — goals for improving the health of all Americans.