Every three years, thousands of Weld County residents receive an envelope in the mail with an invitation to share their experiences, concerns and health habits. This is the Weld County Community Health Survey, and while the survey itself takes just minutes to complete, the work behind it spans years — and few people understand that process better than Raissa Huntley.

Huntley, the Senior Health Data Analyst for Weld County, plays a central role in bringing the survey to life. From its design to data collection, analysis and final reporting, she and her team ensure every response contributes to a clearer picture of public health in the region. But for Huntley, this work is more than statistics — it’s a deeply personal journey shaped by her passion for storytelling, public health and making a difference.

From words to numbers

Unlike many in her field, Huntley didn’t start out in public health. With a background in literature and a love for narratives, she was drawn to how stories shape public understanding.

“I really like thinking about the way that the stories we tell affect how we treat and prevent disease and what resources are allocated to that,” she recalled.

Her path took a turn during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. As she pursued a master’s degree in public health, she found herself in the thick of real-world crisis response, working as an intern managing data for Weld County’s COVID-19 dashboard.

“It was chaotic, stressful and an awful time for so many,” she said. “But working with data gave me purpose and a way to help.”

That experience led her to switch her concentration of study to epidemiology and when a full-time position with the county opened, Huntley seamlessly stepped into the role, eager to build on the legacy of community-driven data collection.

A survey built for the community, by the community

Since 2007, the Community Health Survey has been a cornerstone of public health efforts in Weld County. Conducted by the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE), the survey is distributed every three years to a randomly selected sample of households.

The survey’s findings serve multiple purposes. They help identify health priorities, provide evidence to support policy changes and increase public awareness of how individuals, organizations and local leaders can create a healthier Weld County. Above all, the survey fosters an ongoing dialogue about health concerns, ensuring that public health initiatives are aligned with residents’ real-world experiences.

Designing the Community Health Survey is no small task. The process begins with conversations with stakeholders — lots of them. Huntley and her team meet with local organizations, healthcare providers, and community groups to identify emerging health concerns.

"We hold stakeholder meetings with organizations that we regularly work with or who we know use our data — the Thriving World Coalition, Sunrise, North Range Behavioral Health, Intermountain Health, the Department of Human Services and many other organizations,” Huntley said. “We ask them what emerging concerns do you have that you want to see addressed? Which of these measures are you no longer using, et cetera. It's always driven by what people are telling us they need or want to know.”

Questions must meet a rigorous standard before making it into the final survey. One of Huntley’s team members, Health Data Specialist Carter Vogel, explained that the team goes through a series of internal checks before a question can be considered.

“One of our first things we ask, is it something that can even be measured or asked on a survey? Is it something that is useful? Is somebody going to be able to use the results of this question and do something with it?," Vogel said. 

Turning data into action

This year, 20,000 households will receive the survey, and Huntley hopes to exceed the 11% response rate from previous years.

“The more responses we get, the better we can understand our community,” she emphasized.

Once responses are collected, the work is not even close to being finished. The data collected is then compared to census data and weighted to reflect the county’s demographics, minimizing bias that might influence the results, to try to get even representation from all kinds of people throughout the county.

“We can’t survey every single resident, so we use statistical weighting to ensure our sample accurately represents the community,” she explained. “For example, if we get fewer responses from young adults, we adjust to make sure their experiences are properly reflected.”

Then the data team will generate layers of data from every single question that's on the survey. “We are generating output for each variable and then within each variable for every single demographic group,” Huntley said. “Then we are conducting a test of significance using a chi-square test to prioritize reporting on differences between groups that are statistically significant. And so that's what feeds into our reports and our presentations.”

The results shape Weld County’s Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan and identify key insights influencing everything from grant funding to public health initiatives. Organizations like North Range Behavioral Health have used the data to fine-tune outreach efforts, while county programs adjust services and outreach efforts based on identified needs.

“We had data come back telling us that cost was still a huge barrier for seeking mental health care and that people were not aware of low-cost sliding scale services that are available. So North Range took that information, and they decided to boost their outreach, specifically advertising that they have sliding-scale services available. So it goes into our entire health ecosystem as far as program planning and where dollars are directed.” Huntley said.

The power of local data

For Huntley, the most rewarding part of her job is knowing that her team’s work supports those on the front lines of public health. “We’re not the ones providing direct health care or planning air quality outreach,” she said with a laugh. “But we help the people who do those jobs by giving them the information they need to make smarter, more effective decisions. It's really gratifying, and it makes our position super interesting.”

In anticipation of the current survey cycle, Huntley hopes more residents will recognize the value of participating.

“When you fill out this survey, you’re not just answering questions,” she said. “You’re shaping the future of public health in Weld County. Your voice matters.”

And thanks to Huntley and her team, it will be heard.

To learn more about the Community Health Survey and access previous reports, visit www.weldhealth.org. 

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