Mental health and substance use, nutrition, and access to support needed to improve health and well-being are among the top health priorities in northeast and central Wisconsin, according to ThedaCare’s recently completed Community Health Needs Assessment.
The assessment is reflective of ThedaCare’s dedication to being a population health organization, said Paula Morgen, ThedaCare Director of Community Health Improvement.
“As a population health organization, ThedaCare is interested in the health of our patients and all community members,” Morgen said. “The findings in our Community Health Needs Assessment will help us better identify and address the health needs of the people in the various communities we serve.”
Those findings highlighted:
- Mental health and substance use: Adults ages 18-24 reported lower personal well-being, physical and mental health and feeling that things they do in life are worthwhile.
- Nutrition (access to and intake of healthy food): Significant rates of food insecurity, food deserts and low food access were identified as areas of opportunity. Also identified was the need for healthier daily nutrition as prevention for the growing rate of chronic diseases.
- Access to support needed to improve health and well-being: Many people in the region have difficulty accessing supports such as transportation, housing, access to health care and more. Screening patients for these needs and connecting them with services may help prevent the need for more intensive services downstream.
- ThedaCare conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years in each of its hospital service areas covering the counties of Calumet, Green Lake, Marquette, Menominee, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago.
As part of the assessment, ThedaCare distributed a survey asking residents to provide self-reported ratings on personal and community health and well-being. According to the survey 50% of more than 5,000 respondents in a nine-county area said they are “thriving.”
“On a 10-rung ladder with 10 being their best possible life, they rated their current status a seven-plus and expect to be at an eight-plus in five years,” Morgen said. “Conversely, about 4% said they are ‘suffering.’ They rated their current life a four or lower and expect a four or lower in five years. The remaining population considered themselves ‘struggling,’ with values somewhere in between.”
Much of the data collected for ThedaCare’s Appleton and Neenah hospital coverage areas was gathered in partnership with other organizations. ThedaCare played a lead role in helping organize the Tri-County Community Health Improvement Coalition (Tri-CHIC), comprised of four area health systems, five Public Health departments and more than a dozen nonprofit community organizations in the Tri-County area. This coalition conducted a joint Community Health Needs Assessment over the past year and will develop a 3-year plan around one common priority for collective action. The plan is expected to be released later in the year.
“This collaborative effort will help reduce duplication of efforts with this process, help create common understanding of our greatest needs and alignment of initiatives so that we have greater potential for impact,” Morgen said. “We also engaged the Public Health officers and community members within the six rural counties served by ThedaCare as well, to ensure all communities within our region were represented.”
The assessment specifically noted that “health varies by place and other demographic factors.” It spotlighted the following generalities:
- Urban areas have a lower sense of belonging
- Rural areas have higher smoking rates
- People with lower incomes have higher rates of food insecurity and obesity
- People of Color have higher rates of housing cost burden
- LGBTQ+ populations have higher exposure to violence
Now that the Community Health Needs Assessment and health priorities have been identified, next steps will include the development of a 3-year plan focused on all three priorities to address those needs. This will include the planning work of the coalition, Morgen explained.
“The information we’ve gathered will serve as a roadmap helping to direct our resources and energy to get upstream of critical health challenges in our communities,” she said. “It will help us to better understand what community health improvement strategies we can provide for populations who might need additional support.”
The Community Health Needs Assessment from 2022 identified four priorities:
- Aligning health improvement efforts across community organizations and systems
- Addressing increasing mental health and substance use challenges
- Understanding and addressing social needs that impact health
- Helping kids with a strong start to life
Morgen said those priorities continue to foster collaborative work among ThedaCare, its partners and community stakeholders to help empower people to live their unique, best lives. “We’ve made an incredible impact since our last Community Health Needs Assessment and the work continues with our many partners in light of our latest assessment,” Morgen said. “Now we’re looking at what strategies we will continue and what new opportunities we will identify both on our own and with Public Health and other partners. It’s all part of our efforts to help enhance the overall health and well-being of the communities we serve.”
