For more information, contact Community Relations at:
11/07/2019
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is dedicated to improving the health of the communities it cares for. Every three years Wentworth-Douglass works closely with community representatives to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment to identify how Wentworth-Douglass should focus programs and services to improve the overall health of the individuals and families it serves.
The 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment identified nine community health needs with mental health and substance use disorders and access to treatment for these services identified as the most critical health issues. To address these, Wentworth-Douglass plans to expand mental health services and substance use disorder screening, counseling, referral, treatment, and prevention services.
“There is a strong correlation between mental health and substance use disorders. It is important to screen for and treat both since one affects the other. By increasing access to mental health and substance use disorder services and working together with the community to reduce stigma, we are committed to helping improve access to these important services,” says Kellie Mueller, MEd, Assistant Vice President of Behavioral Health at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
Tobacco use, heart disease and stroke were also found to be among the leading causes of death in the community. Tobacco use increases heart disease risk. To improve heart disease and stroke risk, Wentworth-Douglass will offer annual educational events and risk screenings, and participate in community awareness and prevention activities focused on heart disease and stroke.
“If a patient’s mental health is compromised, it often prevents them from managing other health conditions like diabetes and can get in the way of healthy lifestyle behaviors like eating well, refraining from tobacco use, and getting enough exercise,” Mueller adds.
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital will continue current programs, including free transportation through the Care Van service, financial assistance, and dental care for adults and children at the Community Dental Center. Other areas of focus to be addressed over the next three years include: Access to Health Services, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity; Older Adults; and the Social Determinants (Basic Needs & Transportation).
Wentworth-Douglass conducts a CHNA every three years as part of its commitment to the community’s health. This recent assessment involved 51 individuals from 30 internal and external organizations, representing the broad interests of the community. Interviewees included: public health experts; local public health departments; agencies with current data or information about the health and social needs of the community; representatives of social service organizations; and leaders, representatives, and members of medically underserved, low-income, and minority populations.
The 2019 Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment is available here. For more information, contact the Community Relations Department at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital at (603) 740-2818.
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is dedicated to improving the health of the communities it cares for. Every three years Wentworth-Douglass works closely with community representatives to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment to identify how Wentworth-Douglass should focus programs and services to improve the overall health of the individuals and families it serves.
The 2019 Community Health Needs Assessment identified nine community health needs with mental health and substance use disorders and access to treatment for these services identified as the most critical health issues. To address these, Wentworth-Douglass plans to expand mental health services and substance use disorder screening, counseling, referral, treatment, and prevention services.
“There is a strong correlation between mental health and substance use disorders. It is important to screen for and treat both since one affects the other. By increasing access to mental health and substance use disorder services and working together with the community to reduce stigma, we are committed to helping improve access to these important services,” says Kellie Mueller, MEd, Assistant Vice President of Behavioral Health at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
Tobacco use, heart disease and stroke were also found to be among the leading causes of death in the community. Tobacco use increases heart disease risk. To improve heart disease and stroke risk, Wentworth-Douglass will offer annual educational events and risk screenings, and participate in community awareness and prevention activities focused on heart disease and stroke.
“If a patient’s mental health is compromised, it often prevents them from managing other health conditions like diabetes and can get in the way of healthy lifestyle behaviors like eating well, refraining from tobacco use, and getting enough exercise,” Mueller adds.
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital will continue current programs, including free transportation through the Care Van service, financial assistance, and dental care for adults and children at the Community Dental Center. Other areas of focus to be addressed over the next three years include: Access to Health Services, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity; Older Adults; and the Social Determinants (Basic Needs & Transportation).
Wentworth-Douglass conducts a CHNA every three years as part of its commitment to the community’s health. This recent assessment involved 51 individuals from 30 internal and external organizations, representing the broad interests of the community. Interviewees included: public health experts; local public health departments; agencies with current data or information about the health and social needs of the community; representatives of social service organizations; and leaders, representatives, and members of medically underserved, low-income, and minority populations.
The 2019 Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment is available online at wdhospital.org. For more information, contact the Community Relations Department at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital at (603) 740-2818.