Community Health Assessment Highlights Sioux Falls’ Health Landscape
Published on February 12, 2025
The Sioux Falls Health Department, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Sanford USD Medical Center, and the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System presented findings from a collaborative Community Health Assessment (CHA), a process that assists community stakeholders in understanding the state of health of residents in the Sioux Falls area.
The assessment, done every three years, followed a rigorous data collection process throughout late 2023 and 2024. This process included a community resident survey, focus groups with local stakeholders, and a review of existing health data from local, state, and national sources.
With consideration of feasibility and impact, the partners identified priority areas to pursue collaboratively over the next three years. The priority areas include:
- Healthy living
- Adolescent mental health
- Access to care with an emphasis on oral health
“Through this collaborative effort, we are not only identifying key health challenges but also setting priorities to improve the well-being of our community over the next three years,” said Joe Kippley, Public Health Director for the City of Sioux Falls. “By focusing on healthy living, adolescent mental health, and access to care, we aim to make a measurable impact on the health of our residents.”
Moving forward, the Sioux Falls Health Department and its partners will work closely with community leaders, health care providers, and residents to implement targeted initiatives aligned with these priorities. This collaborative effort will ensure that resources are effectively allocated to address the unique health challenges faced by the community, fostering meaningful progress and long-term, positive change.
A copy of the CHA report and related resources will be available at siouxfalls.gov/community-health