1. Berkshire County Health Needs Assessment
Presented by:
Kimberly A. Kelly
Manager, Community Health & Public Health Initiatives
Kimberly A. Kelly, B.A., CHEC
Manager, Community Health & Public Health Initiatives
Berkshire Health Systems

2. CHNA Process
Updated
BHS has utilized an active community needs assessment as part of its community Benefit Process since The CHNA is updated annually and directs our effects to improve community health.
Collaboration
Berkshire Health Systems regularly assess the health needs of Berkshire County residents as part of the strategic planning process, community benefits programming and in collaboration with the County Health Initiative Steering committee
Data-Driven
BHS utilizes all available clinical, health status, demographic, and socio-economic data available to form the foundation of our needs assessment. Additionally, gather available qualitative data from our many advisory groups, community forums, surveys, and focus groups. The wellness and outreach programs and public health colleagues also supplement our understanding of the health status of our community, health risk factors, and barriers to health and health care.
Community Input
Hosts an annual community wide meeting to review the health needs of our community, engage stakeholders, and solicit additional feedback from over 70 community based organizations. The feedback gathers input on specific needs, actions, identifies gaps in service and prioritizing the most important needs for the community.
CHI
In 2012 we formalized the County Health Initiative(CHI) with the goal of working together to improve community Health.

3. CHNA Key Findings/Priorities
Clinical Care
Access to Medical professionals
Access for Under and Uninsured
Healthcare Disparities
Health Behaviors
Adolescent and Youth
Teen Pregnancy
Infectious Disease
Obesity
Smoking
Substance Abuse
Morbidity and Mortality
Cancer
Cardiovascular Health
Diabetes
Maternal/Child Health
Mental Health
Depression
Stroke /Blood Pressure
Physical Environment
Emergency Preparedness
Social Economic
Community Development
Safety (new)
Strengths
Mortality rates for most of the major disease categories have been trending downward.
Incidence and mortality from infectious diseases have been declining.
Serious communicable diseases are relatively uncommon.
Access to and availability of health care services, has for the most part improved.
Community ability to respond to natural, man-made and public health emergencies has been substantially enhanced.
Opportunities
After closure (2014) of North Adams Hospital, BHS stabilized access to critical services and then proceeded to add additional services to meet community need.
Social Determinants of Health (Socioeconomic status, education, employment, housing, food security, transportation and social protective factors)

4. County Health Initiative (CHI)
Goal
To improve the health status in Berkshire County by fostering a healthy lifestyle environment
Vision
To become the healthiest county in MA and the Nation, where individuals and families can thrive. We believe we can promote healthier lifestyles, resulting in less disease and illness, a better quality of life, reduce costs to individuals, businesses, government and society.

5. Steering Committee Membership

6. ‘Improving the health status of the community’
CHI Framework
‘Improving the health status of the community’
Health Equity Social Determinants of Health
Policy, System & Enviro Change
Integrated Health
Individual Factors
Priority Areas
Tobacco Use
Obesity
Substance Abuse
Mental Health/ Depression
Teen Pregnancy
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Income
Ethnicity
Transportation
Employment
Language
Food Insecurity
Access
Education
Safety
Worksite
Municipal
Gender
Age
Housing
Mind
Feelings
Body
Purpose
Lifestyle
Genetics

7. Highlights Sets a common agenda.
Foundation for action modeled after the collective impact model.
Sets priorities, goals and standards
Identifies needs (CHNA) and assets in the community
Bi-annual meetings to network, share & leverage assets and resources
Identify initiatives, best practice and evidence-based strategies that set the standard for achieving CHI specific goals

8. Where are we going?
Bi-Annual Community Stakeholder Meetings
Next meeting Spring (TBD)
Continuation & Sustainability of Prevention & Wellness Trust Fund
Continue to imbed ‘health equity’ into the work we do

9. What questions do you have?
Kimberly A. Kelly, B.A., CHEC
Manager, Community Health & Public Health Initiatives
Berkshire Health Systems
Community Outreach Program/ Prevention Wellness Trust Fund
Hillcrest Campus
165 Tor Court
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: