There is no doubt that the flu, H1N1 or otherwise, has been the hottest public health topic of the season. But it's not the only health concern on the minds of Dakota County officials.

After months of sifting through data to put together the Community Health Assessment and Action Planning survey, three other priorities have emerged: preventing obesity, combatting chronic disease and providing mental health care.

"When you look at the data and how much healthy behavior can make an impact, it's huge," said Bonnie Brueshoff, the county's public health director.

Other health concerns -- access to care, infectious disease, and alcohol and tobacco use among them -- also will factor into public health planning and programs.

But the three biggest priorities will take center stage, and they county plans to address them with programs that encourage people to eat healthful foods, be active and get appropriate treatment.

Obesity

About 26 percent of Minnesota adults are considered obese, up from less than 10 percent in 1990. Among local kids ages 2 to 5, slightly more than 13 percent of those enrolled in Women and Infant Children (WIC) programs in 2007 were considered obese.

Just one in five Dakota County students eats the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. And although students report less consumption of soda than in the recent past, they are drinking more sports beverages.

"When you think of a sports drink, it sounds like it's supposed to be healthy," Brueshoff said. "It doesn't necessarily mean it's been a good switch."

Chronic disease

Brueshoff said combating obesity goes hand-in-hand with fighting chronic diseases, which were identified as the cause of 65 percent of deaths in Dakota County in 2007.

Cancer led the way, causing 28 percent of deaths countywide in 2007. Heart disease and stroke together were the second-highest cause of death, accounting for 23 percent that year.

Diabetes was the sixth-leading cause of death in the county in 2007, but one in four Minnesotans has the disease or is at high risk of developing it.

Mental health

Suicide and mental-health-related hospitalizations in Dakota County remained steady between 2002 and 2007.

But the county has seen an increased diagnosis and treatment of autism-spectrum disorders. The number of children with autism enrolled in Dakota County schools increased 117 percent from 2002 to 2006.

And there's still a need to improve access to mental health care and remove the stigma some people associate with it, Brueshoff said.

"Taking care of yourself and your mental health is as important as your physical health," she said.

Learn more

Facts about a variety of health topics and public health programs and services can be found online at www.dakotacounty.us/publichealth.

Katie Humphrey • 952-882-9056