As a Catholic health ministry, we are called to care for one another. Every three years, hospitals across our ministry collaborate with like-minded organizations, including other hospital systems, local nonprofits, social services and agencies, charitable foundations, and many others to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment, or CHNA. The findings from these evaluations help us better understand the greatest need within our service areas, with a special focus on those who are poor and vulnerable.
Using the data and information gathered, we collaborate with our community partners to develop solutions reflected in a Community Health Improvement Plan, or CHIP. Each improvement plan contains strategies to address an identified need, as well as root causes affecting the health and well-being of persons in our communities.
The current CHNA includes the collection and analysis of data covering community conditions and social drivers of health, protective and risk factors, and health conditions and outcomes at the urban, county, state, and national level. The data is enhanced by focus groups, key informant interviews, and a community survey. Both the quantitative and qualitative data were used to inform a health and well-being prioritization process.
View a copy of the Penobscot County Maine Shared CHNA here and St. Joseph Healthcare’s CHIP here.
The Maine Shared Community Health Needs Assessment (MSCHNA) is using data to inform decision-making to help reach its goal of Maine becoming the healthiest state in the United States. The MSCHNA is a dynamic public-private partnership that:
- Creates Shared Community Health Needs Assessment Reports
- Engages and activates communities
- Supports data-driven health improvements for Maine people
Background
The MSCHNA began as the OneMaine Health Collaborative in 2007 as a partnership between MaineGeneral Health (MGH), MaineHealth (MH), and Northern Light Health (NLH-then known as Eastern Maine Healthcare System, or EMHS). After conversations with the Statewide Coordinating Council for Public Health, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) joined the collaborative in 2012. The effort was then named the Maine Shared Health Needs Assessment and Planning Process (SHNAPP). Central Maine Healthcare (CMHC) joined the group in 2013. In 2014, CMHC, Maine CDC, MGH, MH and NLH signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding and drafted the Maine Shared CHNA Charter (PDF) to guide the collaborative. In 2017, the name was changed to the Maine Shared Community Health Needs Assessment or Maine Shared CHNA. The Memorandum of Understanding was updated in 2019. To view the 2022 Maine Shared Community Health Needs Assessment Report click here.
To learn more, review research and data, and find resources, visit: About Maine CHNA | Public Health Data | Maine CDC
