Healthy Iowans

Healthy Iowans is a collaborative process that sets the agenda for solving the top health issues facing Iowans so they can live longer, healthier, more productive lives and enjoy our rich quality of life. It has two components.  

  1. The state health assessment (SHA) involves public and private partners as well as people from across Iowa in identifying Iowa’s top health issues. 
  2. The state health improvement plan (SHIP) engages partners in planning to address Iowa’s top health issues. Since the 1990s, Healthy Iowans has included a set of measurable goals with objectives and action steps.

Use the links above or the side navigation to learn more about each part of the Healthy Iowans process.

To learn more about the entire process, view the Healthy Iowans snapshot.

As of 2022, the Healthy Iowans process is now driven by the Healthy Iowans Partnership, which includes a steering committee. The steering committee consists of representatives from 22 organizations in Iowa. These representatives were chosen due to their commitment to improving health, as well as their experience with health equity initiatives. The steering committee will play an important role in the development of Healthy Iowans’ assessments and plans. Responsibilities of the steering committee include:

  • Provide direction for the state health assessment (SHA) and state health improvement plan (SHIP)
  • Execute high level and time sensitive decision-making
  • Develop the vision, mission, and values of the Healthy Iowans process
  • Create assessment designs and recommend data collection methods
  • Construct goals, objectives, and strategies for the SHIP
  • Partner to implement identified strategies

Additionally, steering committee members act as champions of the 2023-2027 SHIP and are involved in its promotion, implementation and evaluation.

Our steering committee is passionate, driven, and a valuable addition to the Healthy Iowans process. We look forward to sharing more in the coming months! 

Iowa's State Health Assessment (SHA)

Every 5 years, the Healthy Iowans - State Health Assessment process does three main tasks to answer the question: What are Iowa's Top Health Issues?

  1. Gets input from community members and organizations from across Iowa.
  2. Compares Iowa health data with other states and the US. 
  3. Reviews Iowa health disparities and the national Healthy People 2030 topics.  

Iowa's Health Improvement Plan (SHIP)

A State Health Improvement Plan includes goals, objectives, and strategies along with resources to protect and improve the health of Iowans over a five year period.

Stay Connected

To stay up to date with the Healthy Iowans process, please subscribe to the monthly Healthy Iowans newsletter. This newsletter provides updates on the Healthy Iowans SHA/SHIP, and also includes links to pertinent public health trainings, events, news and resources.