BRIEF

Rod Rose

Nov. 6, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Federal health officials are "very, very interested" in the Boone County Healthy Coalition's project to chart public health needs.

Deb Koester, RN, told the BCHC's steering committee Tuesday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is "really excited" about efforts here and elsewhere in Indiana to measure health access and needs.

"They are looking at you for infrastructure-building at the community level," Koester said.

Koester is manager of the Population Initiatives Program for Purdue University's Healthcare Technical Assistance Program.

Next year, the BCHC wants to collect information from doctors, dentists, optometrists, mental health agencies and other health care providers. The survey, to be done over three months, is one step in learning not only how Boone County residents find health care, but what gaps exist and how those gaps can be filled.

Koester will draft a questionnaire based on recommendations the BCHC developed In previous meetings.

For more of the story, see Friday's Lebanon Reporter.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0436-39509692