Marathon County LIFE Report A ‘Call to Action’ To Fix Community Problems

The latest in a 20-year series of reports has been released, identifying persistent problems facing communities in central Wisconsin.

The Leading Indicators for Excellence reports, also known as LIFE reports, come out every two years in Marathon County. The just-released 10th edition calls for action in three problem areas: income, substance abuse, and mental health.

“These issues are all interconnected,” said Melissa Dotter, the drug free communities program coordinator for the county’s Health Department. “If we have someone with a substance abuse disorder, there’s a very good chance there’s a disorder in their mental health. They may not be able to hold a job, affecting their income level. It’s all intertwined.”

The LIFE Reports are commissioned by the United Way of Marathon County, with statistics and analysis compiled by a cross-section of community leaders.