February 14, 2023
Media Contact: Cassie Barber, cassie.barber@vdh.virginia.gov
Chesterfield Health District & Community Partners Launch Community Health Assessment
CHESTERFIELD, Va. – This year for Valentine’s Day show some love to your community! The Chesterfield Health District is coming together with key community partners — Bon Secours, Chesterfield County Public Schools, Chesterfield County Human Services, Immigration Nation LLC., La Casa de Salud, VCU, Waymakers, YMCA, Department of Juvenile Justice, and Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation — to launch the Chesterfield Community Survey on February 14. The Chesterfield Health District is the local public health arm of the Virginia Department of Health and serves the residents of Chesterfield County, Powhatan County, and the City of Colonial Heights.
The Community Survey will gather information about the health and quality of life of all Chesterfield and Colonial Heights residents. The data collected will shine a light on the strengths and needs of the community at-large and allow the health department to see how quality of life and health differ neighborhood by neighborhood. The survey is a part of a larger ongoing Community Health Assessment (CHA), which paints a picture of community health and equity through multiple data collection points, including the community survey, focus groups, and community-based organization self-review, as well as a thorough review of existing data related to health and living conditions. The results of the CHA are shared broadly and will influence and guide future health and community improvement initiatives across the county for years to come.
“The most valuable part of the Community Health Assessment is what we hear from the community members” said Chesterfield Health District’s Community Coordinator Jessie Brennan. “This is an opportunity to share what is seen in your community every day. If there are problems that need to be addressed, tell us! If there are things that you are endlessly proud of, tell us! The input that we receive from the community members will guide our work for the next few years.”
“We strongly encourage all community members of Chesterfield County and the City of Colonial Heights to participate in the Community Survey” said Chesterfield Health District Direct Alexander Samuel, MD, MPH. “Community members participating in the survey allows the Local Public Health System, made up of cross-sector partners and agencies, to better understand and serve our community.”
Once the data is analyzed the health department will be sharing the results in town halls across the community. As a community member you will have the opportunity to help prioritize the health district’s areas of focus for the Community Health Improvement Plan. After completing the Chesterfield County and the City of Colonial Heights Community Health Assessment we will begin the process in Powhatan County.
The Community Survey is completely anonymous, will take approximately 7-10 minutes to complete, and will be available in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Vietnamese. We will be collecting feedback until April 1.
Want to take an easy step towards improving your community? Take the survey at www.vdh.virginia.gov/chesterfield/community-health/cha/
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