Penn State Health is committed to understanding and addressing the health needs of the communities it serves. In order to best do that, the health system is seeking input for its 2021 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).
The survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, is open to residents of Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and Perry counties who are 18 years or older. The information will be used to design and implement programs to address barriers to good health as identified. For example, these could include accessing care, preventing mental and physical illness and enhancing access to adequate nutrition. It will also help address social, behavioral and environmental factors that influence health in the community.
“The more people we hear from, the better we’ll be able to assess and address the health needs of people across central Pennsylvania,” said Jim George, director of community relations at Penn State Health. “Input that takes just a few minutes to share with us will help your community for years to come.”
The CHNA survey is confidential. It is available in English and Spanish. The survey is open until April 1. After the needs assessment is completed, Penn State Health will make the plan to address health disparities public and work with local partners to enact it.
All nonprofit hospitals are required by the Affordable Care Act to conduct a CHNA every three years. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center and the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, along with coordination from the Department of Public Health Sciences at Penn State College of Medicine, are participating facilities.