Munson Healthcare hospitals recently completed their Community Health Needs Assessment and Implementation Strategies that are designed to identify community health needs and to foster collaborative action to promote community health.
While each hospital seeks to meet the specific needs of the communities they serve, common themes are present across northern Michigan. Overcoming obesity, managing diabetes, providing access to health care and more are all on the agenda as Munson Healthcare hospitals seek to serve their communities and promote healthier lifestyles in the region.
“These are complicated public health issues that require multi-pronged approaches,” said Christina Nowak, manager of Munson Medical Center Community Health. “Munson Healthcare plays an important role in addressing the needs identified, but many of these issues are very complex and will require partners from across our community to work together to create measureable impact.”
Nowak said the latest CHNAs represent a standardized approach by several partners across northern Michigan, including many of the Munson Healthcare hospitals, to gather community health data – something unique to northern Michigan.
“In working with our local health departments, a standardized process was implemented across 21 counties using the same data collection and prioritization techniques,” she said. “Facilitated community conversations, physician surveys, and community surveys were used to hear the voice of those we serve.”
Each hospital completed a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment. To do this, hospitals collaborated with health departments, service organizations, key stakeholder groups, and community members in gathering data. Secondary sources of information included the U.S. Census Bureau, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan League for Public Policy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and more.
Up-to-date Community Health Needs Assessments and Implementation Strategies for Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, Mackinac Straits Health System, Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital, Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital, Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital, Munson Medical Center, Otsego Memorial Hospital and Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital are available at the health system’s website.
Hospital officials invite the region’s residents to join the effort to improve community health by knowing the needs, reading the plans, and using the dashboard to research health issues across the region. To learn more about the hospital’s community health efforts and share feedback, please visit munsonhealthcare.org/chna.