Provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 require tax-exempt (non-profit) hospitals to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) at least every three years. The regulations for the CHNA include defining the hospital’s service area; compiling demographics and analysis of health indicators; taking into account input from the community, including public health professionals; identifying resources; and prioritizing community health needs.
The assessment was created by the Community Health Needs Assessment Steering Committee with assistance from the University of Kentucky, Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky. The results of the CHNA will guide the development of MCMC’s community health improvement initiatives and implementation strategies. The 2023 Monroe County Medical Center (MCMC) CHNA incorporated the requirements described above and identified the following prioritized needs:
1. Mental Health
2. Substance Use/Addiction
3. Nutrition Education/food access
4. Increased Health Access
5. Diabetes (Obesity/physical inactivity)
This document serves as a roadmap for the Implementation Plan, which will be developed during the months following the completion of the 2023 CHNA. The Plan will specify planned actions to be taken by MCMC and its collaborative partners, available resources, anticipated actions, and a plan for evaluating these activities.
We do not have adequate resources to solve all problems identified in the CHNA and some issues are beyond the mission of the hospital; therefore, action by others may be best suited. Some improvements will require personal actions by individuals rather than the response of an organization. We look forward to working closely with our community to help improve the overall health of those we serve.
Sincerely,
Andrea McLerran
Chief Executive Officer
