The purpose of the Wellness Score is to provide an overall summary of community health status. This information is divided into 10 categories and represents the foundation of planning and program development for improving health outcomes for our community.

We are thrilled to share with you the 2017 Health and Wellness Community Assessment, a living document intended to communicate important health related information to Oklahoma City and County residents about the health status of the zip code in which they reside. We are hopeful you will take this information and find opportunities for improvement in your community as well as seek out ways in which you can be a part of expanding the conversation and identifying needed resources to address our health issues. The Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) staff and Board of Health and the Wellness Now Coalition have been busy the last few years adapting the way in which we deliver our services to meet the needs of the communities that we serve. Understanding that the landscape of healthcare and our role as public health professionals is continually evolving, we are dedicated to seeking opportunities to deliver health in a forwardthinking way. This has included integrating our public health services with primary care and behavioral health providers, the faith community, business leaders, education partners and many others. Thus, we have seen the conversation about health elevate within our community. Through partnerships with the City of Oklahoma City, Parks and Recreation Department, Oklahoma City Public Schools, UCO, OCCC, OU Physicians and the Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma City, we have begun work on the Southern Oaks Learning and Wellness Campus in south Oklahoma City. This campus will serve many students and their families in the community and create access to much-needed resources for living healthy and productive lives. 

OCCHD is committed to continue working with our partners, both traditional and non-traditional, to leverage resources and develop strategies for improving health. The Wellness Score provides an illustration of the impact social, physical and environmental determinants have on both community and individual health outcomes. It is utilized in planning resource allocation and next steps for the investment of community programs and amenities to create access to things that make us healthy. Healthier citizens create a cost savings to our tax payers, and the increased quality of life gives Oklahoma City a competitive edge in business development. 

Although we are encouraged by many of the improved areas of health and the priority being placed on health and wellness, there is still much work to be done. While we are excited to celebrate our successes in this updated report, we are also aware that our state continues to be outperformed nationally in health improvement, and as the largest metropolitan health department in Oklahoma, we seriously take our role in reversing those trends. We look forward to expanding the robust partnerships being supported and maintained through the Wellness Now Coalition and continue to celebrate our successes.