Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)

Health Care

Improving Access to Care

  • Data continues to show the need for access to primary care, mental health, and dental providers in our region, especially in our rural service areas.
  • Uninsured rates have continued to decline in our service areas, with between 5-8% of the population uninsured, compared to 10% nationwide.
  • Income-related disparities are significant, with Medicaid, low income and rural populations reporting higher rates of chronic disease, lower rates of preventive screenings and healthy behaviors, and more frequent late stage cancers at diagnosis.
  • Affordable housing, food security and transportation were consistently cited as barriers to care and well-being across network communities.
Lifestyles

Preventing Chronic Disease

  • The obesity and overweight population comprise 75% of the SLUHN service area, compared to 73% nationwide.
  • Only 18% of survey respondents reported exercising 30 minutes or more five or more times a week, and only 8% reported eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
  • Of respondents age forty-five and older, 79% reported having one or more chronic diseases.
  • Unhealthy behaviors are paralleled by disease outcomes and correlate with income levels, with lower income individuals having less healthy behaviors and more disease.
Mental Health

Improving Access to Mental and Behavioral Health

  • We need more access to mental and behavioral health providers and resources in our communities.
  • Approximately 39% of people reported one or more poor mental health days in the past month.
  • Improved access to resources for opioid and other substance use disorder services to support prevention, treatment, and recovery.
COVID-19

COVID-19

  • Consistent Public Health Guidance and education for prevention and mitigation of COVID-19
  • Access to healthcare resources (e.g., testing, vaccines)
  • Two-thirds of people in very poor health were impacted by COVID-19 compared to less than half of people in excellent health.