Department of Community Health

The Network’s Department of Community Health was founded in 1996 in an effort to establish an effective and sustainable way to support the needs of the communities served by St. Luke’s University Health Network. Since then, the department has grown and evolved to become a leader in promoting health for the most vulnerable communities across the region.

Our mission is to create pathways for equity toward measurable health outcomes through advocacy, access, and navigation of resources for partners and underserved communities. We envision a community where everyone has access to exceptional health care built on a foundation of trust and compassion. We work to address health disparities and promote positive health outcomes, especially among our most vulnerable populations such as our low income, children, and underserved communities.

The current strategic plan (fiscal year 2024-2025) was developed as a roadmap to prioritize efforts focused on the specific needs within the communities we serve. Community Health Liaisons serve every campus community to ensure that meaningful and sustainable partnerships are developed at the local level. This provides the capacity and infrastructure needed to ensure that pathways toward equity and measurable health outcomes can be realized.

The Department of Community Health team is led by Vice President Rajika Reed, Ph.D, MPH, M.Ed., who has served the local community for more than 25 years in the field of public health. The department oversees the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), which is conducted internally every three years as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The top priorities outlined in the CHNA and the implementation strategy serve as a guide to support strategic initiatives through the pillars of Prevention and Wellness, Care Transformation, and Research and Partnerships.

To donate, volunteer, or to learn more, please email community.health@sluhn.org or call 484-526-2100.

Findhelp is a tool to connect you to community resources you may need. From financial assistance, food pantry locations, medical care to resources for pregnant women/new mothers, you can search for free or reduced cost services available in a language you can understand.

Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Top Priorities

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.

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.

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.