CLEARWATER, Fla., March 20,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BayCare Health System, the
leading health care system in West Central Florida, today announced
the findings and implementation plans of its Community Health Needs
Assessment (CHNA) for Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk Counties. The assessment is conducted
every three years to gain a better understanding of the health
needs of the communities BayCare serves and address healthcare
inequities.
The assessment is conducted every three
years to better understand health needs of the communities BayCare
serves.
The 2023–2025 focus areas included behavioral health, access to
health and social services; and exercise, nutrition and weight.
BayCare developed implementation plans for each hospital and
community to leverage hospital and current community resources
while engaging new community partners. Listed below are examples of
BayCare's plans in each focus area.
Behavioral Health
- Launch a public awareness and resource campaign to break child
mental health stigmas and educate families and advocates.
- Implement strategies to educate on tobacco use and vaping
dangers.
- Explore community partnerships to expand behavioral health
services and increase access to care for underserved residents in
each community.
Health and Social Services
- Expand access to affordable medications through support of the
Medication Assistance Program.
- Improve access to healthcare through support of increased
transportation services.
- Expand medical and dental services and resources through
support of local free and low-cost clinics.
Exercise, Nutrition and Weight
- Maintain or expand the "Healing Bags" program as standard of
care by screening every hospital patient for food insecurity and
providing nonperishable food upon discharge.
- Continue to provide access to food and other services for
students and their families through a partnership with Feeding
Tampa Bay and determine areas for additional services like health
screenings and education.
- Improve health outcomes for community members with prediabetes
or Type 2 diabetes by partnering with local free clinics to
increase diabetes education and support.
"Each time that this assessment is performed, BayCare gains a
better understanding of each community's health, along with
opportunities for improvement, so we can continue to meet the needs
of all we serve," said Lisa Bell,
director of community benefit for BayCare.
To provide as complete an overview as possible of the health
behaviors and perceptions of each county's residents, a 59-question
community survey was developed and administered. The questions were
obtained from state and national needs assessments, passed a
rigorous literacy review and were available in English, Spanish and
Creole. A health equity expert also validated the verbiage of
survey questions and responses to ensure equity for all
respondents.
In each county, BayCare identified priorities, developed a
strategic implementation plan, assessed behavioral health needs,
and addressed barriers to health care and social services. The
survey addressed health and lifestyle behaviors, quality of life
and access to care.
To access the CHNA Implementation Plans for all four counties,
visit:
https://baycare.org/about-us/community-benefit-and-community-health-needs
About BayCare
BayCare is a leading not-for-profit
health care system that connects individuals and families to a wide
range of services at 16 hospitals and hundreds of other convenient
locations throughout the Tampa Bay
and central Florida regions.
Inpatient and outpatient services include acute care, primary care,
imaging, laboratory, behavioral health, home care, and wellness.
Its mission is to improve the health of all it serves through
community-owned, health care services that set the standard for
high-quality, compassionate care. For more information visit
BayCare.org.
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SOURCE BayCare Health System