OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center is pleased to share the results of its 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment.
Community Health Needs Assessments are required of tax-exempt hospitals through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Conducted every three years through community surveys, the assessment evaluates the overall health of Henry County and creates an important opportunity to improve the health of the community.
There were 409 surveys collected in 2022, including community members most at-risk due to limited financial means.
The assessment is part of an ongoing collaborative effort by OSF Saint Luke and community partners, including Bridgeway, Inc., the City of Galva, Johnson Chiropractic Clinic PC, YMCA of Kewanee, State Bank of Toulon and the Henry and Stark County Health Departments.
The findings of this year’s assessment highlight the following areas of concern: behavioral health, including mental health and substance use, and healthy behaviors, defined as active living and healthy eating and their impact on obesity.
With this in mind, OSF Saint Luke is developing a three-year implementation strategy for Henry County to improve health and well-being by empowering people with information, knowledge, and accessibility.
“The community health needs assessment is a valuable process OSF takes part in every three years,” said Jackie Kernan, president of OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center. “With the information it provides, we continue to collaborate with individuals and other organizations to transform health care by eliminating barriers, increasing access and delivering the right care at the right time and place in the right manner to achieve a healthier county.”
Since its last Community Health Needs Assessment in 2019, OSF HealthCare has seen system-wide improvement in three key areas: access to medical care, behavioral health and obesity.
For more information on the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment, or an electronic copy, visit osfhealthcare.org/about/community-health.