Community health needs assessments enable local health care systems and public health departments to learn more about the true needs community members are facing.
The assessments are traditionally done every three years and provide a roadmap for health organizations to focus their resources and talents on the greatest needs of communities.
This year, partners are working together to gather community data and insights through a well-being survey.
The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Anyone 18 or older living in Shawano County is asked to take the survey between now and Jan. 17. To access the survey, visit surveymonkey.com/r/RZDZKSB.
The answers will help shape future community health plans, which can help improve a person’s life and make communities a better place to live.
“The goals of this well-being survey are to identify trends in well-being and to learn how local not-for-profit hospitals, public health agencies, and other partners could make the lives of people in our communities better,” said Paula Morgen, ThedaCare director of community health improvement. “Well-being is a person’s perception of to what extent they are living their best possible life. Are they able to do the things they want to do? Do they feel safe in their community? Do they have the social supports needed for both physical and mental well-being?”
In past surveys, issues like mental health, substance abuse, early childhood needs and social needs, such as food insecurity and transportation, came to the forefront.
“The information we gather will help us determine where we should focus our resources and energy to get upstream of critical health challenges in our communities,” she said. “It will help us to better understand what community health improvement strategies we can provide for populations who might need additional support.”
For the first time, the four nonprofit hospitals in the area — ThedaCare, Advocate Aurora Health, Ascension Health and Children’s Wisconsin — are joining with the public health departments of the cities of Appleton and Menasha, as well as Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties to conduct the entire community health needs assessment in the Tri-County area. Numerous local nonprofit organizations are also involved.
Categories
