Guest column: Public Health: Serving the health of Freeborn . . .
When most people think of health care, they think of visiting a doctor or hospital when they are sick or injured. Public health is different. Public health focuses on preventing illness and injury before they. . .
When most people think of health care, they think of visiting a doctor or hospital when they are sick or injured. Public health is different. Public health focuses on preventing illness and injury before they occur, promoting healthy lifestyles, protecting communities from disease and emergencies, and creating conditions that allow everyone to live healthier lives. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it impacts every resident of Freeborn County every day. Under Minnesota law (Minnesota Statute 145A), every county must be part of a community health board responsible for protecting and improving the health of its residents. Minnesota has 53 community health boards serving the state’s 87 counties. Unlike many counties that share a community health board with neighboring counties, Freeborn County operates its own community health board. The community health board is required by state law to appoint a community health services administrator. In Freeborn County, Sue Yost serves as both the community health services administrator and public health director. She has worked for the department for 36 years, including the past 15 years as director. Freeborn County Public Health employs 35 staff members, along with one AmeriCorps Recovery Corps service member. The team includes public health nurses, social workers, health educators, family support workers, community health workers, a public health planner, a peer breastfeeding counselor and administrative staff. The department’s 2026 budget is $4. 37 million. Approximately $845,000 is funded through county tax dollars, while the remaining funding comes from grants, fees and reimbursements from insurance and other third-party payers. Public Health currently administers 17 grants that support programs and services benefiting residents throughout Freeborn County. Identifying community health prioritiesEvery five years, community health boards conduct a Community Health Assessment to better understand the health needs of their communities. The assessment combines local health data with surveys, focus groups, community forums and input from residents and community partners. The findings are used to develop a Community Health Improvement Plan that guides collaborative community efforts over the next five years. Freeborn County recently completed its 2025-2029 Community Health Assessment. Based on the assessment findings, three priority areas were identified for focused community action:• Mental health• Access to care• Substance useThese priorities help guide community partnerships and collaborative improvement efforts. However, they represent only a small portion of the work performed by Freeborn County Public Health. In addition to addressing these priorities, Public Health provides many essential services that are required by Minnesota law or have been identified through community health assessments and other local needs. These services protect the public’s health, prevent disease and injury, prepare for emergencies, promote healthy behaviors and support individuals and families throughout every stage of life. The following highlights just some of the many programs and services provided by Freeborn County Public Health. Supporting Families and Children• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition services, breastfeeding support and healthy foods. • Family home visiting programs for pregnant women and families with young children. • Prenatal education and breastfeeding consultation. • School health services, including vision and hearing screenings and early childhood screening. • Car seat education and installation assistance for eligible families. Preventing disease and promoting health• Immunization clinics for children and adults. • Tuberculosis case management and follow-up. • Community health worker services that help diverse residents navigate health care and community resources. • Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) initiatives promoting healthy eating, physical activity and tobacco-free living. • Emergency preparedness planning and response for disease outbreaks, severe weather and other public health emergencies. Supporting independence and access to care• Home and Community-Based Services that help older adults and people with disabilities remain safely in their homes. • Care coordination for eligible Medical Assistance enrollees. • Information, referrals and connections to community resources. • Child and Teen Check-Up Outreach promoting preventive health care for children and youth. Each year, Freeborn County Public Health serves thousands of residents through these and many other services, including screenings, education, home visits, care coordination, emergency preparedness activities and community partnerships. Many of these programs help prevent health problems before they become more serious, improving quality of life while reducing long-term health care costs. Public Health cannot accomplish this work alone. Success depends on strong partnerships with health care providers, schools, childcare providers, businesses, community organizations, faith communities, local governments and many other partners. Together, these collaborations help improve the health and well-being of everyone in Freeborn County. Residents are encouraged to contact Freeborn County Public Health to learn more about available programs and services or to connect with resources that support their health and well-being. The complete 2025–2029 Freeborn County Community Health Assessment, including community health data, identified priorities, and opportunities for community involvement, is available on the Freeborn County website. For more information about Freeborn County Public Health, visit www. freeborncountymn. gov/PublicHealth or call 507-377-5100. Sue Yost is the director of Freeborn County Public Health. Story Tags