The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is a federal requirement for private, non-profit hospitals. Part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Community Health Needs Assessment is additional criteria for hospitals to maintain their tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) status. A hospital must complete a CHNA at least every three years with input from the broader community, including public health experts.
Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber worked with Strategy Solutions, Inc. and formed a Steering Committee that consisted of administration, community leaders and internal staff to guide the study that began in July 2012. The Steering Committee reviewed primary and secondary data collected through this process and identified key needs and issues that are present in the community.
The top 5 needs in our community were identified as:
1. Chronic Disease: Obesity
2. Healthy Mothers, Babies, Children: Youth Obesity
3. Chronic Disease: Diabetes
4. Chronic Disease: Breast Cancer
5. Chronic Disease: Coronary Heart Disease & Hypertension
Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber will focus on the Chronic Disease: Obesity and implement a program to affect change in individuals who are at-risk of Obesity and related diseases.
The Community Outreach Committee will be launching the Know Your Numbers Campaign which will provide awareness and information to the physicians, staff, and community. The launch of the Know Your Numbers Campaign, materials, education, fitness and health screenings and information will be available on the WMC web site, social media, patient portal (when available), community events.
The complete Community Health Needs Assessment Report and information on the Know Your Numbers Campaign is available on our website: www.windbercare.org
Please join us on Saturday, July 20th from 7 a.m. – Noon at HealthStyles/WMC for our official Community KICK-OFF Event.