Health Survey Underway in Effingham, Jasper Counties

HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham County Health Department and Jasper County Health Department are asking residents of Effingham and Jasper counties to complete a short survey about health issues in their communities. The brief survey will be used to guide community health efforts for the next three years.

“Our organizations share a common goal of providing resources to the communities and individuals we serve,” said Alex Schneider, HSHS community health outreach specialist. "We look forward to hearing directly from our community so we can work in partnership with them to address identified needs.” 

Residents of Effingham or Jasper counties can take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QHBD9C7 through March 15. Hard copies will be available at the Effingham County Health Department and Jasper County Health Department. Responses are anonymous.

Non-profit hospitals like St. Anthony’s are required by the Affordable Care Act to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years to identify specific health priorities within the county where those hospitals are located. Hospitals work with other local health care organizations and health departments to collect this data and use it to develop a Community Health Implementation Plan to address the selected priorities.

Following the survey and other information gathering, the hospital and health departments will determine which health priorities they should address over the next three years and how to implement those priorities. The completed CHNA report with identified health priorities will be available by the end of June 2024.

Six other hospitals in Hospital Sisters Health System are also conducting health needs assessments this month.