North Carolina hospitals play a vital role in improving the health of the communities they serve. A key tool in this effort is the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), conducted every three years in a collaboration between health departments, hospitals, and other non-profit, government, education, faith-based, and business organizations.  

The CHNA identifies the unique health needs of a community, ensuring hospitals and their partners have the necessary information to address these needs effectively. By pinpointing local health priorities, hospitals can align their resources and programs to target specific areas of concern like chronic disease management, substance abuse, food insecurity, and more. 

Community involvement is crucial in this process. Assessments often include surveys and interviews with community members and leaders, providing insights into local strengths, gaps, and pressing health issues. This collaborative approach helps build partnerships and prioritize programs that address the most significant public health challenges. 

The CHNA process evaluates the physical, mental, and social well-being of a community, examining available resources and identifying barriers to care. After engaging the community and analyzing comprehensive data, hospitals and their partners develop actionable steps to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and enhance the quality of life for all residents. Here are a few examples: 

• A CHNA from Dare County found that a lack of transportation created barriers to receiving health care. By 2022, Outer Banks Hospital provided grants to Dare County Transportation to provide transportation for 350 unserved patients to in and out of community medical appointments. 
• A CHNA from Guilford County found that the community needed more resources to promote strong mental health and end substance abuse. Based on the report’s recommendations, Cone Health opened the Cone Health Behavioral Health Hospital in partnership with Guilford County in June 2021.  
• In Onslow County, a CHNA found food insecurity impacted adults and children. Recommendations called for a community partnership to address this need. Since 2023, Onslow Memorial Hospital and United Way of Onslow County have supported Children Healthy Eating on the Weekends (CHEW) to provide students with nutritious meals outside of school. 

Want to make a meaningful impact on the health needs of your community? Contact your local hospital to see if you can participate in their recent CHNA and have your voice heard.