The health of all people in Goodhue County is the subject of a newly released report. The 2025 Goodhue County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) identifies top health issues and offers a starting point to identify health inequities.
The report is an effort to take stock of the health of all people in Goodhue County. In the past, local public health conducted a community health assessment every five years, and Mayo Clinic Health System every three years. Since 2022, the Goodhue County Community Health Needs Assessment is a joint effort and will continue on a three-year cycle. As part of the process, members of the Community Health Assessment committee reviewed responses and comments from a 2024 random sample survey, a 2024 convenience sample survey, key informant interviews, an online health topic survey, a community partner assessment, and community engagement events. Additionally, data from state and national sources were reviewed.
“Hospitals and health departments are both required to assess the health needs of the people we serve. It makes total sense to work together so we don’t ask the community the same questions twice” said Stephanie Olson, Mayo Clinic Health System Community Relations Manager.
“We look at health problems like diabetes and the things that contribute to health, such as our behaviors, access to care, and income. Every three years, we ask community leaders across the county to choose the most important health issues. We compare their choices with survey results and with what people tell us at community events. From that, we create a list of top 10 health issues, and again in 2025 the top issue was mental health” said Ruth Greenslade, Public Health Supervisor for Goodhue County Health and Human Services.
While mental health was also a top 10 issue in the 2017 Community Health Assessment, it rose to the number one spot in 2022 and has remained there in this assessment. Chronic health conditions and nutrition & healthy eating also showed up in the top 10 issues for the first time since 2017.
“Many of our top issues are connected, and we have seen some positive progress since our last assessment when the pandemic exacerbated many health issues,” said Josh Smith, Community Engagement Specialist at Goodhue County Health and Human Services. “We have seen a reduction in drug overdose deaths since 2021 and the 2025 student survey showed a decrease in students who reported seriously considering suicide.”
The assessment is available to everyone in the community. Nonprofits, healthcare providers, schools, and the health department can all use the data to apply for grants and guide their work. As an example, a local Mayo physician is working with young people to develop podcast episodes for teens. “Teens told us they want to learn more about their physical health. This connects to chronic disease, which is one of the top health issues, because the daily habits that keep you physically healthy also prevent illnesses. Youth will be using the assessment to help create outlines for the podcast episodes,” the physician said.
“We are so thankful for all the community members and partners that have taken the time to work on this important report,” said Nina Arneson, Goodhue County Health and Human Services Director. “A special thank you goes to our core group for their strong leadership, partnership and commitment to improving health for all.” The core group includes Greenslade, Smith, Olson, Jenny Larson, Three Rivers Community Action Executive Director, and Nicolle Mechelke, United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha and Pierce Counties Executive Director.
Smith said, “Doing an assessment report together every three years has allowed Goodhue County and Mayo Clinic Health System to advance our partnership. Community Action agencies are also required to do needs assessments every three years, so now we are working more closely with Three Rivers to coordinate future assessments.”
The CHNA report sets the stage for the Goodhue County Community Health Improvement Plan 2026-2028, which will describe long-term, collective efforts to improve the health of everyone in the county.
The 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, as well as many of the data sources used, are available on the Goodhue County website at goodhuecountymn.gov/chna/.
Top 10 Health Issues:
1. Mental Health & Mental Disorders
2. Chronic Health Conditions
3. Drug & Alcohol Use
4. Housing & Homes
5. Health Care Access & Quality
6. Violence Prevention
7. Nutrition & Healthy Eating
8. Education Access & Quality
9. Economic Stability
10. Social Isolation & Discrimination
The mission of the Goodhue County Community Health Assessment Committee is to identify health disparities and top health issues for Goodhue County and implement and evaluate strategies, policies, and programs.
