A plan to prevent suicide, obesity, and youth physical abuse in Snohomish County will roll out at a public meeting May 2.

The meeting is from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Snohomish County Campus Public Meeting Rooms, First Floor Drewel Building, 3000 Rockefeller Ave. in Everett. County public health officials will present a Community Health Improvement Plan to guide agencies, elected officials, schools, the health care community, businesses and the at-large community to tackle the priority health risks.

Suicide, youth abuse, and obesity are the top three health risks in Snohomish County. The short list is based on careful consideration of health data by the Snohomish Health District’s Public Health Advisory Council. The results of the council’s research were published in 2013’s The Health of Snohomish County report card. That report and background on the process are posted at www.snohd.org/assessment.

“Shared goals and collaboration among a broad base of health advocates are the most successful tools to improve the community’s health,” said Gary Goldbaum, health officer and director of the Snohomish Health District. “We hope that community partners step forward to take ownership of the strategies and that the Plan gets traction in every area of Snohomish County.”

Following the selection of the top issues, numerous community members representing 42 organizations met to determine goals, objectives, and measurable strategies to guide community partners in achieving large-scale social, health and behavioral changes. This work is summarized in the Plan that will be presented on May 2.  Community partners also will be encouraged to volunteer as part of this effort. The plan document will be posted at www.snohd.org/assessment following the May 2 event.