Tag: Community Health Assessment

Powhatan Community Health Assessment Report Now Available

Dec. 30, 2025

Media Contacts:
Kristy Fowler, Kristy.Fowler@vdh.virginia.gov
Sarah Barnett, sbarnett@powhatanva.gov

Powhatan Community Health Assessment Report Now Available
Chesterfield Health District publishes top two health concerns

Chesterfield, Va.– Chesterfield Health District has completed a community health assessment (CHA) for Powhatan County, one of the three localities they serve. The top two health concerns are mental health and financial insecurity.

Much of the work health departments do is mandated by state code. These two health concerns fall outside of services mandated by the state but are recognized as factors that have a significant impact on community health and wellbeing.

Jessie Brennan is the interim population health manager at the Chesterfield Health District and serves as the community coordinator, who manages the localities’ health assessments and improvement plans.

“Public health is impacted by so many different facets of life and the community,” Brennan said. “The built environment, access to schools, and economic stability all affect health. With that understanding, we reach out to organizations that impact these issues. We bring them together, but the groups themselves really guide the process to identify strategies that work for Powhatan. Together we make a larger impact than working in silos.”

Brennan hopes Powhatan citizens feel seen and heard through this assessment.

“It has captured community need and does reflect areas that need more strategic attention and resources,” Brennan said. “In every health assessment, the most relevant data points are the ones we pull from the community. We prioritize survey and focus groups over secondary data.”

In preparation for the survey, the team explored existing population-level data, or secondary data, to define the health status of the county and provide key findings to residents and stakeholders. The CHA Steering Committee obtained data from many sources at the local, state, and national levels. To identify the two priority issues, the steering committee then considered the secondary data and resident feedback, and the interplay of the issues highlighted across both data sources.

“We’re seeing the same results in surveys across other organizations like the Community Action Agency and Bon Secours,” Brennan said. “We’re confident mental health and financial insecurity are the right issues to explore.”

The next step in the process is for the health department, Powhatan County administration and community partners to begin developing a strategic improvement plan by looking at the data, identifying assets that relate and identifying gaps. Then they work together to fill those gaps. This planning process aligns with Powhatan County’s recent strategic plan, specifically priority four – Quality of Life and Public Safety. Officials expect meetings to start early 2026.

“We’re excited to work together with the health department and community organizations to improve the health of our county,” Deputy County Administrator Sarah Barnett said. “We want all residents to truly thrive in Powhatan County.”

To keep up with their progress, follow the Chesterfield Health District on Facebook. Visit ChesterfieldVa.health and click on reports to read the entire Community Health Assessment.

Many organizations were instrumental in the Powhatan health assessment: Bon Secours, the Drexell-Morell Center, Goochland/Powhatan CSB, Powhatan County Public Library, Powhatan Department of Social Services, Powhatan Coalition of Churches, Powhatan County Parks and Recreation, Senior Connections and the Willow Collaborative.

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Prince William Health District Releases 2025 Greater Prince William Community Health Assessment (CHA) Report

September 25, 2025
Media Contact: Emely Melendez, emely.melendez1@vdh.virginia.gov

Prince William Health District Releases 2025 Greater Prince William Community Health Assessment (CHA) Report

MANASSAS, Va. – The Prince William Health District (PWHD) in collaboration with the Community Healthcare Coalition of Greater Prince William (Coalition) released its 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA). The CHA is a comprehensive report that highlights the health status, needs, and strengths of Greater Prince William. This assessment includes a robust analysis of local health data and community perspectives captured through a health survey and community conversations.

Assessment findings emphasize the critical need for continued efforts in three key areas:

  • Improving access to behavioral health services.
  • Expanding resources for the management of chronic conditions.
  • Addressing the social determinants of health including poverty, affordable housing, and food insecurity which all play significant roles in health outcomes.

Regional diversity was highlighted as both a strength of living in Greater Prince William, and a call to action for more culturally tailored health services and education through partnerships with trusted entities, including faith-based and advocacy organizations. Seniors, people living with disabilities, and those who rely on public transit expressed difficulty in traveling to reach medical appointments. Residents also raised challenges in accessing dental care, which can lead to worsening health conditions that are cost-prohibitive for residents on limited incomes.

“The CHA reveals that residents call for coordinated action to address persistent barriers to health and well-being. Lasting health improvements require more than reporting problems – they require multi-sector partnerships,” said Coalition Co-Chair and PWHD Lead Epidemiologist Diane Anderson, DrPH.

The coalition is sharing data findings and mobilizing across sectors this fall in preparation for a January 2026 meeting. At this meeting, community partners and residents will choose health issues to prioritize for the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). For more information on how to join the coalition and community health improvement efforts, visit BeHealthyBeHappyPrinceWilliam.com.

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Rappahannock Area Health District and Mary Washington Healthcare Release 2025 Community Health Improvement Plan

August 5, 2025
RAHD Media Contact: Erin Perkins, Erin.Perkins@vdh.virginia.gov
MWHC Media Contact: Tamra Wheeler, Tamra.Wheeler@mwhc.com

Rappahannock Area Health District and Mary Washington Healthcare Release 2025 Community Health Improvement Plan
New Plan Features 88 Strategies from 35 Organizations to Address Behavioral Health, Housing, and Healthcare Access

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) and the Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) announce the release of the 2025-2028 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The CHIP focuses on the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford and the City of Fredericksburg.

This comprehensive plan tackles some of the region’s most pressing health concerns:

  • Behavioral Health,
  • Housing, and
  • Access to Healthcare.

A year-long effort, the CHIP was developed through research, collaboration and strategic planning. The CHIP is an action-oriented document based on the findings of the Community Health Assessment (CHA). Released in April, the CHA examined a variety of data sources to understand key health needs. The community then selected the top three health needs, which are addressed in the CHIP.

“We are deeply grateful to all the community members and partners who dedicated their time and expertise to this effort,” said Rappahannock Area Health District Director Olugbenga Obasanjo, M.D. “This initiative helps to modernize public health practice by ensuring collaboration of cross sector partnerships and utilizing of data to create a roadmap with the potential to drive real, lasting improvements in the health and wellbeing of our community.”

Compared to previous years, the 2025-2028 CHIP is significantly more robust. It contains 88 strategies contributed by 35 community organizations. The updated format also reflects a stronger emphasis on measurable outcomes. This new CHIP has indicators to track progress and ensure accountability.

“The Community Health Improvement Plan is the result of a truly collaborative effort, shaped by dozens of local organizations – from government agencies and healthcare providers to schools and nonprofits. This plan reflects our shared commitment to a healthier community,” said MWHC Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer Xavier Richardson. “It is exciting to see how broadly the CHA and CHIP are used across the community to guide programs, inform policy, and spark lasting change.”

The CHIP serves as both a strategic guide and a living document. It will evolve in response to emerging needs and community feedback. The plan establishes clear priorities and cross-sector collaboration. It sets the stage for meaningful, measurable change over the coming years.

The full plan can be viewed on the RAHD website  or on the MWHC website.

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Now Available: 2025-2029 Hanover County Community Health Improvement Plan

June 18, 2025 

Media Contact: Caitlin Hodge, Caitlin.Hodge@vdh.virginia.gov 

 

 Now Available: 2025-2029 Hanover County Community Health Improvement Plan 

 

Ashland, Va. – The Chickahominy Health District, along with several partner organizations, is pleased to announce the release of the 2025-2029 Hanover County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The plan was developed to address the following priority areas with actionable goals and strategies for improving health in Hanover County: 

 

  1. Healthy Eating and Food Security 
  1. Youth Mental Health 
  1. Affordable, Safe and Available Housing 

 

“The CHIP is a great example of how partners can work together to improve health and strengthen collaboration in our community,” stated Emily Hines, Population Health Planning and Improvement Coordinator for the Chickahominy Health District. “Thank you to everyone who gave their time and feedback, and who will lead strategies within the plan.” 

 

The CHIP is a five-year plan that supports and tracks the work of local organizations – including government, healthcare, schools, and non-profits – as they tackle population health priorities. It is based on the 2023-2024 Hanover County Community Health Assessment.  

 

Please consider emailing the Chickahominy Health District’s Community Health Team to get involved and/or provide comments on the CHIP: CHDWellness@vdh.virginia.gov. The Hanover County CHA and CHIP can be viewed online here: www.vdh.virginia.gov/chickahominy/community-health-assessment/. 

  

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RHHD Highlights 2024 Annual Report for National Public Health Week

April 7, 2025

Media Contact: Brian C. Little, Sr., 804-461-9497, brian.little@vdh.virginia.gov

RHHD Highlights 2024 Annual Report for National Public Health Week
National Public Health Week is April 7 – 13

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) celebrate National Public Health Week April 7 – 13 by highlighting public health accomplishments and services. RHHD’s 2024 Annual Report provides community members with updates from its teams that focus on Clinical Services; Community Health; Environmental Health and Safety; Population Health; and more.

“The dedicated public health professionals at Richmond and Henrico Health Districts work tirelessly to protect and improve the health of our communities,” said RHHD Director Elaine Perry, M.D. “We celebrate the

accomplishments of the past year and look forward to advancing this important work in the years ahead.” In 2024, RHHD:

  • Received responses from 1,126 Richmond and Henrico Residents who completed the 2024 Community Health Assessment Survey (CHA). Community members can read the full CHA Report
  • Vaccinated 1,539 students at 60 in-school 7th and 12th grade vaccination events in partnership with Richmond Public Schools and Henrico County Public Schools.
  • Provided health services for newcomers from over 14
  • Reached 9,000 community members through Community Health Workers’ attendance at Outreach and Community Events.
  • Directly observed 2,608 tuberculosis treatments.
  • Enrolled 50 new PrEP PrEP is a medication that reduces a person’s chances of getting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
  • Completed 4,557 food service inspections throughout Richmond and
  • Distributed 991 Narcan kits (each containing two doses of the opioid overdose reversal medication) at community events and encounters (10/1/23-9/30/2024).
  • Conducted 4,362 Family Planning and STI clinic
  • Provided 441 COVID-19, flu, and mpox vaccinations at mobile

RHHD will be celebrating National Public Health Week on social media and on Well Read, the RHHD blog, at rhhd.gov/blog. Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information.

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2025 Rappahannock Area Health District Community Health Assessment Released

April 7, 2025
RAHD Media Contact: Allison Balmes-John, Allison.Balmes@vdh.virginia.gov
MWHC Media Contact: Eric Fletcher, Eric.Fletcher@mwhc.com

2025 Rappahannock Area Health District Community Health Assessment Released
Community Health Improvement Planning Process Begins

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The final version of the 2025 Community Health Assessment for the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford and the City of Fredericksburg is now available. The assessment examined multiple data sources to better understand key issues, who may be most affected by these issues, and available resources to act.

The assessment identified five key health issues facing the region (listed in alphabetical order):

  • Aging-related concerns
  • Behavioral health
  • Healthcare utilization and access
  • Physical activity and healthy eating
  • Social determinants of health

The full report is available at www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock/.

With the assessment complete, the project now moves into developing a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). In this planning phase, the Rappahannock Area Health District, Mary Washington Healthcare and other community-based organizations will work together to set goals and commit to strategies to improve the key issues.

The first meeting to develop the CHIP will take place on Thursday, April 10 from 11-12:30 p.m. at the John F. Fick III Conference Center, located at 1301 Sam Perry Blvd. in Fredericksburg. The meeting is open to community members, and registration is available at  forms.office.com/g/m6XvKyHrvm

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Rappahannock Area Health District and Mary Washington Healthcare Announce Release of 2025 CHA Findings for Community Comment

March 13, 2025
RAHD Media Contact: Allison Balmes-John, Allison.Balmes@vdh.virginia.gov
MWHC Media Contact: Eric Fletcher, Eric.Fletcher@mwhc.com

Rappahannock Area Health District and Mary Washington Healthcare Announce Release of 2025 CHA Findings for Community Comment

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) and Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) are excited to share the initial draft of the 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA) for community feedback. The CHA provides a thorough examination of community health needs and identifies resources to address those needs. This assessment covers the City of Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford.

The draft report is also available at www.virginia.gov/rappahannock and is open to public comment through Thursday, March 27.

Residents are also invited to attend one of two upcoming sessions to learn more about the findings and to provide feedback:

  • Wednesday, March 19 from 8:30-10 a.m. at the John F. Fick III Conference Center, 1301 Sam Perry Blvd., Fredericksburg, VA
  • Monday, March 24 from 12-1 p.m., online at https://tinyurl.com/RAHD-MWHC-Mar24

Registration is encouraged and can be found at  https://forms.office.com/g/CNStT2Cpw2.

“Our health is not just an individual matter—it is shaped by the entire wellbeing of the community,” said RAHD Health Director Olugbenga Obasanjo, M.D. “To understand health in our community requires not just looking at statistics and health records but talking directly to the community about their experiences. We pride ourselves on completing a robust assessment of health in our area and look forward to working with our partners on key issues identified.”

A final, formalized report will be released in early April, at which point the CHA findings will be used to develop an updated Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

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Prince William Health District Reminds Residents the Community Health Assessment Survey is Still Open

January 16, 2025
Media Contact: Emely Melendez, emely.melendez1@vdh.virginia.gov

Prince William Health District Reminds Residents the Community Health Assessment Survey is Still Open
Your Health, Your Voice

MANASSAS, Va. – The Prince William Health District (PWHD) in collaboration with the Community Healthcare Coalition of Greater Prince William (Coalition) is reminding residents that the Community Health Assessment (CHA) survey is still open to all residents aged 15+ and will remain available online until February 28, 2025. The anonymous survey only takes 5-10 minutes to complete and is available in both English and Spanish. PWHD wants to ensure that your voices are heard!

“Every response to the survey brings us closer to understanding what health challenges are impacting our residents and what truly matters to the people we serve,” said Luke Davies, MPH, Health Director for PWHD. “This survey is more than just a tool; it’s a way for us to listen, learn, and lead with your priorities in mind.”

This survey is part of a comprehensive assessment where information is collected about health problems impacting community members, what services are available to address them, and what needs to improve. We get this info from health data, surveys, Community Conversations, and, most importantly, from YOU.

Why Your Response Matters

  • Survey results will help the Coalition, community organizations, and government agencies prioritize improvements to health services and plan programs that make our community healthier for everyone.

How to Participate

For more information visit BeHealthyBeHappyPrinceWilliam.com. If you have any questions about these community health efforts, please contact Dr. Diane Anderson, Population Health Supervisor at Diane.Anderson@vdh.virginia.gov

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Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Announce 2024 Community Health Assessment Results 

October 31, 2024
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, RHHDpr@vdh.virginia.gov, 804-807-1727

Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Announce 2024 Community Health Assessment Results

RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) announce the results of its 2024 Community Health Assessment (CHA). RHHD worked closely with healthcare professionals, partner organizations, subject matter experts, and residents across our neighborhoods to conduct the CHA. The CHA survey asked respondents what is and is not going well in their communities, as well as what health issues concern them most.

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to community members and partners for providing a picture of the health status in our community,” said Richmond and Henrico Population Health Manager Tamara Jones. “We heard from a diverse range of voices, including those who are often underserved and underrepresented. What we learn from Community Health Assessment will make Richmond and Henrico healthier and more equitable places to live, work, and play.”

“Listening to the community is about more than learning what’s wrong,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Community Health Assessment Coordinator Jasmine Carmichael. “It’s about listening to the great ideas for change and progress each of us has when it comes to our neighborhoods. Institutions have a greater impact when they involve community members in decisions about their programs.”

When asked “What is going well in your community?” respondents identified school systems, access to places of worship, and public transportation. Respondents identified violence as an aspect of community life that is not going well. The health issues that respondents are most concerned about include violence, chronic health conditions, and mental health. Community members can view the full CHA results on the RHHD website.

RHHD’s CHA Steering Committee has evaluated the survey results along with other data about health and well-being in Richmond and Henrico communities and has identified three priority areas to be addressed in the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP):

  1. Mental Health, including Substance Use Disorder
  2. Community Safety and Violence Prevention
  3. Chronic Diseases

Community members who would like to participate on the CHIP steering committee for one of the three priority areas can sign up using this link. RHHD encourages people interested in staying up to date on the CHIP process to subscribe to RHHD’s newsletter.

Richmond and Henrico residents between the ages of 18 and 88 responded to the survey (465 from Henrico and 661 from Richmond). RHHD collected demographic data on respondents’ gender identities or sexual orientations, income, geographic location, experience of illness or disability, and language background, ensuring that the CHA survey data reflects Richmond and Henrico’s diversity.

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Rappahannock Area Health District and Mary Washington Healthcare Seek Community Input for Health Assessment

November 21, 2024
RAHD Media Contact: Allison Balmes-John, Allison.Balmes@vdh.virginia.gov
MWHC Media Contact: Eric Fletcher, Eric.Fletcher@mwhc.com

Rappahannock Area Health District and Mary Washington Healthcare Seek Community Input for Health Assessment

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) and Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) invite community members aged 15 and older to take a quick, anonymous survey about important health issues. The survey is open to those who live in the City of Fredericksburg and Caroline, King George, Orange, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Westmoreland counties.

“This is a great opportunity for community members to make their voices heard about the biggest health issues facing our area,” said RAHD Director Olugbenga Obasanjo, M.D. “We use this feedback to guide decisions about programs and services that are prioritized in our area. The results are taken very seriously by the health department, the healthcare system, and many other community-based organizations.”

The survey can be completed in English at https://redcap.link/CHAsurvey_PD16, or in Spanish at https://redcap.link/CHAencuesta_PD16 . Questions ask respondents to share their thoughts on the biggest health concerns facing the community as well as the greatest opportunities for health improvements. Demographic information is requested to ensure responses from different groups and geographic areas, but no identifiable information is requested. Upon completion of the survey, respondents will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for one of 20 $25 gift cards.

“We want to hear from as many community members as possible through this process,” said Xavier Richardson, senior vice president for MWHC. “Our residents see things impacting the health of our community that we may not see, and this is a great chance to help bring to light things not shown in other data sources.”

This survey is part of the broader Community Health Assessment (CHA) effort, which examines health issues including rates of disease, access to care, patterns of behavior, and social factors that contribute to health. Assessment results will inform the development of a five-year Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) based on community priorities.

Additional opportunities for feedback are also available through a series of focus groups taking place through mid-December. To learn more about focus group opportunities, please contact 540-899-4797 or rahd_callcenter@vdh.virginia.gov.

For more information on the previous CHA and CHIP, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock/fy23-fy25_cha-chip or www.marywashingtonhealthcare.com/foundations/community-benefit-fund.