Northern Inyo Healthcare District’s Board of Directors will hear the results of its recent Community Health Needs Assessment as part of tomorrow’s regular monthly meeting, Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 5:30 p.m.

Community Health Needs Assessments are completed at least once every three years under the Affordable Care Act. Through the information community members share in surveys, public agencies like NIHD focus time and resources on identifying the primary needs of the community and ways to meet these needs.

In May, NIHD asked community members to complete a survey to identify local health and medical needs. With a concerted push by NIHD team members, the completed surveys brought in more than double the responses from previous efforts.

Survey results were analyzed and evaluated with three priorities areas identified for further focus: behavioral health, access to healthcare services, and chronic disease management. NIHD has developed a targeted implementation plan working with community partners that illustrates how the District plans to approach these areas.

“We welcome the community to review this document not just as part of our compliance with federal law, but of our continuing efforts to meet health and medical needs,” said NIHD Chief Executive Officer Kelli Davis. “NIHD views this plan as how we, along with other area organizations and agencies, can collaborate to bring the best each has to offer to support change and address the most pressing identified needs. Most importantly, this report is intended to guide our actions, and the efforts of others, to make needed health and medical improvements in our area.”

Davis said the healthcare district recognizes it may not have the resources to solve all identified needs and problems. “Some issues may be beyond the District’s mission or require an action best suited for a response by others,” Davis said. “NIHD remains committed to staying abreast of and advocating for the growth, development, and improvements in the health and wellness of our community.”

Davis noted it is also important for all community members to understand that some improvements will require personal actions by individuals rather than the response of an
organization.

“I have faith in our strong, capable community,” she said. “We all live in, work, and enjoy this wonderful area. Together, we can make our community healthier now and for future
generations.”

NIHD’s Board meetings are accessible in-person and virtually via Zoom. Virtual connection information is available at NIHD’s website, www.nih.org. Look for the blue banner on the home page for details.

About Northern Inyo Healthcare District: Founded in 1946, Northern Inyo Healthcare District features a 25-bed critical access hospital, a 24-hour emergency department, a primary care rural health clinic, a diagnostic imaging center, and clinics specializing in women’s health, orthopedics, internal medicine, pediatrics and allergies, general surgery, colorectal surgery, breast cancer surgery and urology.

Continually striving to improve the health outcomes of those who rely on its services, Northern Inyo Healthcare District aims to improve our communities one life at a time.

One team, one goal, your health.