Community Health Assessment Survey: Summit County Residents’ Input SoughtCommunity Health Assessment Survey: Summit County Residents’ Input Sought Local health officials in Summit County emphasize the importance of data collected from residents in informing policy decisions. To gather this vital information, the Summit County Health Department conducts a community health assessment every three to five years. “This assessment helps us determine the priorities and concerns of our community regarding health,” said Kendra Babitz, Summit County Deputy Health Director. “It will shape our Community Health Improvement Plan for next year and the next five years of planning for our programs and services.” The survey encompasses more than just physical health, delving into social and economic factors that impact overall well-being. Additionally, it aims to assess the effects of the environment and climate change on residents’ health and identify potential gaps in services. “This is the most important investigation we are conducting,” said Summit County Public Health Director Phil Bondurant. “It’s our first post-COVID assessment, so we have pre- and post-data on the pandemic’s local impact.” Launched in May, the survey is open until November. Deputy Health Director Babitz noted that around 300 of the county’s 43,000 residents have already participated. The health department aims for 1,000 responses and specifically seeks increased participation from Latin American residents. The 10-minute survey is accessible online in both English and Spanish at summitcountyhealth.org/cha24. Residents are encouraged to contribute their vital insights to shape the community’s future health initiatives.
Local health officials say they have enough national and regional data to inform policy, but the most important data comes from Summit County residents.
That’s why the Summit County Health Department conducts a community health assessment every three to five years.
“This is to assess what the priorities and concerns are for community health,” said Summit County Deputy Health Director Kendra Babitz. “This will impact what we do next year for our Community Health Improvement Plan, and that will impact the next five years of planning for our programs and services.”
The survey asks about more than just physical health. It also touches on social and economic factors that influence health.
The health service also wants to know how the environment and climate change are affecting residents’ health and identify any gaps in services.
Summit County Public Health Director Phil Bondurant said it’s “the most important” investigation his department is conducting.
“This is the first one we’ve done post-COVID,” he added. “We had one done right before the pandemic started, so we have some pre- and post-data on how the pandemic has affected us locally.”
The survey opened in May and will run through November. Babitz said about 300 of the county’s 43,000 residents have already responded.
The health service hopes for about 1,000 respondents and wants to increase participation among Latin American residents.
The 10-minute survey is available online in English and Spanish at summitcountyhealth.org/cha24.
