Data Collection, Analysis, and Use
To better understand the unique needs of different populations, Community Health leads and engages in community health needs assessments and improvement planning. These efforts are large-scale collaborations that bring together healthcare providers, social service organizations, and community members. The process typically spans a year and results in a thorough analysis of local health challenges, along with evidence-based strategies to address them.
Links to local Community Health Assessment & Improvement plans in the West Piedmont Health District follow:
- 2024 Franklin Area Community Health Assessment
- Henry Martinsville Community Health Equity Assessment 2023
- Henry Martinsville Executive Summary and Implementation Plan 2023
- The Harvest Foundation MHC Health Equity Report
- Patrick County Community Needs Assessment & Improvement Plan 2024
- Patrick County Executive Summary 2024
- Patrick County Community Needs Assessment & Improvement Plan 2020-2023
- Virginia Rural Health Plan 2022-2026. The Virginia State Office of Rural Health has announced the release of the Virginia Rural Health Plan 2022-2026 (VRHP). The goal of this working action plan is to showcase the resiliency and assets of the Commonwealth’s rural communities. A series of community conversations and site visits that took place between October 2019 and March 2020 advised the scope of the VRHP.
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Virginia Well-Being. Use this tool to learn more about your community by searching for your city or county. Compare rates with the Commonwealth of Virginia and other localities by selecting data indicators by county, district, or state.
The newest release of the 2025 County Health Rankings report can be viewed at www.countyhealthrankings.org. This data aids community needs assessments by providing secondary data.
- The report highlights areas of strength and areas for improvement, which align with the priority areas of the 2023-2027 Plan for Well-Being. This plan outlines priority areas and strategies to improve the health of all people in Virginia.
- The annual rankings serve as a snapshot of how health is influenced by where we live, learn, work, and play. They provide a starting point for study and change in our communities.
We believe in a future where everyone has opportunities to be healthy and to thrive. Many factors impact how long and how well we live. Our data show how these factors shape community conditions, while highlighting the stark differences in health that stem from injustices and barriers to opportunity. To see how communities in the West Piedmont Health District rank, visit the links below.