MOUNT VERNON — Public input is vital to the county’s success in developing new and existing programs and services. Knox Health Planning Partnership (KHPP) is asking for your input as part of the 2024 Community Health Assessment (CHA).

The CHA is a survey conducted every three years to identify priority health needs and concerns in Knox County.

KHPP is a nonprofit community coalition coordinated by Knox Public Health in partnership with local agencies from across the county. Moxley Public Health is facilitating the survey, including data collection, analysis, and guidance.

The survey is designed to gather data on various topics, including general health status, chronic disease, access to care, preventative healthcare, and quality of life. All Knox County residents are encouraged to complete the anonymous survey. There is no way for answers to be linked back to respondents.

Once the community health assessment is completed, the information collected will serve as the baseline of community health data. Local organizations will use it to support decision-making, grant applications, program design, and health improvement goals for Knox County.

A community health improvement plan (CHIP) will also be developed to address health issues of concern. The CHIP will serve Knox County as a roadmap for community partners to work together on identified priority health needs.

“Assessing the health of the community is not a task nor a chore; it’s taking responsibility, ensuring our efforts are aligned with community needs, and creating a more resilient future,” Health Commissioner Zach Green said.

Funding for the CHA is provided by Knox Public Health and Knox Community Hospital. KHPP member organizations include Knox Public Health; Knox Community Hospital; United Way of Knox County, City of Mount Vernon, Community Foundation of Mount Vernon & Knox County, Family & Children First Council, Kenyon College, Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Knox County Chamber of Commerce, Knox County Head Start, Knox County Job and Family Services, Knox County Sheriff, New Directions, Anew Behavioral Health, YMCA, Knox County Foundation, Mental Health and Recovery Board, Pathways of Central Ohio, The Freedom Cente,r and Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

The CHA and CHIP will be available to Knox County residents in the fall of 2024. Visit knoxhealth.com for more information about the Community Health Assessment or to see past results.

For more information contact Tina Cockrell, public health education and nursing director, at tcockrell@knoxhealth.com.