The Healthy! Capital Counties 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment Cycle is underway!
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The 2024 Community Health
Needs Assessment report is live! |
Improving Individual Health, Together.
What is a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)?
Everyone wants to be healthy. Some of us aren't. A CHNA measures how healthy we are, what health conditions we suffer from, and the root causes of those health problems.
Where does this information come from?
We use a variety of data sources including surveys, vital records, program and facility data, as well as interviews and focus groups with both community members and healthcare providers.
Why should community members be involved?
Community involvement is vital for an effective health needs assessment and improvement project. Community members know well the health needs in their community, and without their lived experiences and stories, the CHNA would miss crucial information.
How will this improve health?
Once we know what the priority health needs are (and what the root causes of those problems are) we develop a plan to meet those needs. Hospitals, health departments, and other community organizations across the tri-county area use the plan to target their efforts based on what the community decides are the most impactful current health problems. When we all move in the same direction, we are stronger and can more effectively face these health concerns than we ever could working alone.
Why are we doing this now?
Hospitals received a mandate under the Affordable Care Act to conduct a ‘community health needs assessment’ every three years, starting back in 2012. Local health departments have a long tradition of health assessment and improvement activities, and those who are seeking national accreditation must conduct assessments and develop improvement plans. We also know that individual and community health are built on more than the medical care we receive - organizations involved in the places we live, work, and play can all positively impact a community's health. In times of scarce resources, we can't afford to silo ourselves; working together is the best way to support our communities' health.
What geographic area does the project cover?
The Healthy! Capital Counties project includes Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties. People in the capital area share a central urban area, media market, and health and human services providers.
How long does the project take?
Following national best practices, our needs assessments take about one year from start to finish, and they are followed by about two years of the Community Health Improvement Plan. However, effective community health improvement is part of a continuous cycle of measurement, planning, action, and evaluation. We constantly refine our efforts to respond to community conditions that are ever-changing.
How can I get involved?
Reach out to our team if you or your organization is interested in participating in the cycle!
Everyone wants to be healthy. Some of us aren't. A CHNA measures how healthy we are, what health conditions we suffer from, and the root causes of those health problems.
Where does this information come from?
We use a variety of data sources including surveys, vital records, program and facility data, as well as interviews and focus groups with both community members and healthcare providers.
Why should community members be involved?
Community involvement is vital for an effective health needs assessment and improvement project. Community members know well the health needs in their community, and without their lived experiences and stories, the CHNA would miss crucial information.
How will this improve health?
Once we know what the priority health needs are (and what the root causes of those problems are) we develop a plan to meet those needs. Hospitals, health departments, and other community organizations across the tri-county area use the plan to target their efforts based on what the community decides are the most impactful current health problems. When we all move in the same direction, we are stronger and can more effectively face these health concerns than we ever could working alone.
Why are we doing this now?
Hospitals received a mandate under the Affordable Care Act to conduct a ‘community health needs assessment’ every three years, starting back in 2012. Local health departments have a long tradition of health assessment and improvement activities, and those who are seeking national accreditation must conduct assessments and develop improvement plans. We also know that individual and community health are built on more than the medical care we receive - organizations involved in the places we live, work, and play can all positively impact a community's health. In times of scarce resources, we can't afford to silo ourselves; working together is the best way to support our communities' health.
What geographic area does the project cover?
The Healthy! Capital Counties project includes Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties. People in the capital area share a central urban area, media market, and health and human services providers.
How long does the project take?
Following national best practices, our needs assessments take about one year from start to finish, and they are followed by about two years of the Community Health Improvement Plan. However, effective community health improvement is part of a continuous cycle of measurement, planning, action, and evaluation. We constantly refine our efforts to respond to community conditions that are ever-changing.
How can I get involved?
Reach out to our team if you or your organization is interested in participating in the cycle!
