The Oshkosh Area United Way and Winnebagoland Task Force commission a Local Indicators for Excellence (LIFE) study every few years. The LIFE study compiles local information on housing, education, arts, environment, lifestyle and diversity to determine our strengths and weaknesses as a community.

Among the needs or 'areas to watch' in the 2008 study:

• Health care accessibility
• Education funding
• Arts funding
• Unemployment assistance
• Energy costs
• Drug and alcohol treatment
• Obesity and lack of physical activity

For more in-depth analysis and explanation, please download the full report.