Southwest Health concluded and published the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The assessment is completed every three years in compliance with IRS 501(r) guidelines to understand the broad healthcare needs of our communities.
The CHNA was conducted regionally in partnership with other area healthcare organizations, including: Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospital and Clinics, Grant Regional Health Center, Grant County Public Health, Crawford County Health Department, and Crossing Rivers Health. All partners involved in this CHNA process agree their organizations share a common vision of improving health in their communities. The process includes a community health survey to obtain local input, a review of secondary data which includes national, state, and local information and an analysis of the community strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Through this extensive process, the collaboration identifies priority areas that impact the health and quality of life of the communities served. The goal is to gain a better understanding of our communities’ needs and use that to move toward strategies and collaborations that can improve the health of the communities and broader service area.
The priority areas identified in the 2024 CHNA are Mental Health, Chronic Disease, and Substance Misuse. Mental Health was identified as the top health concern by community members. Chronic Conditions affect over half of all Wisconsin residents with cancer, heart disease and diabetes being the most prevalent conditions in our region. Substance misuse contributes to poor health outcomes and has an economic impact to the community. The priority areas are very broad areas that will take collaboration among community organizations for many years to improve.
The next step is to share these results with the community and start working on the community health improvement plan, which is a three-year plan to implement strategies that will improve the health of the community. Community partners are encouraged to review the CHNA by visiting the Health Department or healthcare organization’s website.
