Input needed on community health assessment

TOLEDO — Throughout the year, Mercy Health's community health teams regularly create programing to help promote health and wellness. Mercy Health is asking for community input to continue providing quality and relevant programming. Mercy Health has launched a Community Health Needs Assessment, during which residents are asked to offer input on the region's top community conditions and needs. The community is welcomed and encouraged to share feedback by filling out a Community Health Needs Assessment survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MercyHealthToledo "Community Health addresses the social dynamics and underlying factors that impact the health and well-being of the individuals and communities we serve in order to promote justice and health equity. We do this by collaborating with internal and external partners but most importantly, we identify those needs by asking," said Jessica Henry, director of Community Health, Mercy Health – Toledo." "We want to make sure people feel cared for and that we're helping them meet their needs to the best of our ability. So, we really try to get out there to hear what individuals have to say." Since becoming region's first hospital in 1855, Mercy Health has cared for area residents both inside our hospitals and within the neighborhoods we serve. It is with the goal of addressing the social dynamics and underlying factors that impact a community's health and well-being that Mercy Health is seeking input to identify the region's top health priorities. The assessment, which is available online now, asks for community input on items ranging from local health resources, barriers to care, and gaps in services to trends regarding health and healthy lifestyles. Mercy Health and our partners have collected this data in the past to help build community health priorities. In particular, identified areas have included: Infant Mortality, Chronic Disease, Behavioral/Mental Health. In particular, the assessment has helped inform the creation of programs like a community baby shower to help educate area mothers on safe sleep practices. Or a healthy Halloween celebration to show how treats don't always have to be sweet. And a monthly Ask the Expert series to tackle a variety of health topics ranging from diabetes management to trauma-informed care. "Mercy health will use this newly collected data to establish priorities for the coming years," Jessica said. "It's important to be current with what is happening in our community so we can be working for the betterment of all. With this information, we will continue to work with our many community partners to collaboratively make sure we're supporting our region's health and wellness needs in every way possible." Assessment data will be collected through Feb. 14, 2025. Mercy Health will then create the next iteration of the community health plan for the years 2026-2029.