Our Richmond and Hampton Roads markets are each currently conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment through the end of February 2022.
What exactly is a Community Health Needs Assessment?
A Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is a survey that helps identify the areas of greatest needs and improvement for the health of a community. Residents of the immediate and surrounding Richmond and Hampton Roads communities are encouraged to participate in our surveys, as well as non-residents who work, play or worship in the region.
“There are many factors that contribute to the health and overall life expectancy of a population,” Becky Clay Christensen, executive director of community health for Bon Secours – Richmond, shares. “Our community residents and key stakeholders have been very helpful in identifying health, social and economic issues that can make community members sick.”
Our ministry’s mission is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. As we continue to provide care, it’s critical for us to understand the ever-changing needs of the residents in our communities.
That’s why we are asking you to participate so your voice can be heard.
What health needs were identified by the most recent CHNA conducted by Bon Secours?
Every few years, Bon Secours conducts a CHNA and develops and executes a CHNA Implementation Plan, which details actions the health system will take to address these identified areas of need. The most recent CHNA was conducted in 2019 and since then, we have worked diligently to address the health needs identified in each market.
In Bon Secours – Richmond, the CHNA conducted in 2019 cited the area’s four significant health needs as chronic disease, behavioral health, social determinants of health (housing, transportation, safety) and stress/trauma. In Richmond, some of the work done through the CHNA Implementation Plan includes a partnership with and financial contribution to GRTC to build bus shelters in the East End; serving 13,000 vulnerable patients annually through the Care-A-Van mobile health program; the establishment of a Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP); and investments in home ownership opportunities through the Maggie Walker Land Trust.
In Bon Secours – Hampton Roads, the CHNA conducted in 2019 cited the area’s significant health needs as chronic health conditions, opioid and substance use, mental health, affordable housing and workforce development. Since then, and during a COVID-19 pandemic, this market has worked hard to offer health education and screening events, investments in affordable housing partnerships and developing relationships with local educational institutions to address current and future workforce needs.
Take action by completing our survey today!
The short survey is available online and includes general questions as well as specific questions designed to collect opinions on the top health needs of the communities we serve. It’s anonymous — the data is organized only by ZIP code — and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Along with input from local health departments, social services, school systems, community safety net providers and local governments, the survey contributes to an overall snapshot of the community.
Bon Secours Richmond Survey: If you are living, working or seeking care in the greater Richmond community, including central Virginia to the Northern Neck and southern Virginia through Emporia, the Bon Secours Richmond CHNA survey is available here in both English and Spanish.
Bon Secours Hampton Roads Survey: If you live, work or seek care in the Hampton Roads community, the Bon Secours Hampton Roads CHNA survey can be accessed here.
