Penn State Hershey again embarking on Community Health Needs Assessment

Penn State Hershey partnered with Holy Spirit and PinnacleHealth System in 2011-12 to conduct the first Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The CHNA process used data, interviews, public forums and focus groups to identify and prioritize health problems in a five-county service area of central Pennsylvania. After reviewing this data and mapping internal and community-based resources, Penn State Hershey developed an implementation plan with evidence-based strategies. The final version was approved by the Board of Directors in May of 2013 and is available to be viewed by the public.Three years later, the second round has begun. Along with the same partners, Hamilton Health Care Center (federal qualified health center), Pennsylvania Psychiatric Center (PPI) and Carlisle Regional Medical Center have been added. The community health needs assessment team is in the midst of the process, which includes interviews with key community stakeholders and a survey, as well as the forums to be completed in June. The new assessment will be available for review by the end of July.Participation in the survey is highly encouraged, and submissions are anonymous. The deadline for participating in the survey is May 8. This is an opportunity to influence health care decisions that will be made throughout the region. Comments will help to improve programs and services that affect health care providers.