Fox Cities News

ThedaCare has identified mental health and substance use, nutrition, and access to necessary support as key health priorities in northeast and central Wisconsin. These findings are based on the recently completed Community Health Needs Assessment.

Paula Morgen, ThedaCare Director of Community Health Improvement, stated that "as a population health organization, ThedaCare is interested in the health of our patients and all community members." She added that the assessment will help better identify and address the needs of people in various communities served by ThedaCare.

The assessment highlighted several areas of concern:

- Mental health and substance use: Adults aged 18-24 reported lower personal well-being, physical and mental health.

- Nutrition: Issues such as food insecurity and low food access were noted as areas needing improvement.

- Access to support: Difficulties accessing transportation, housing, healthcare, and other supports were identified.

The survey conducted for the assessment revealed that 50% of respondents from a nine-county area consider themselves "thriving," while about 4% said they are "suffering."

Morgen emphasized the collaborative effort involved in gathering data for ThedaCare's Appleton and Neenah hospital coverage areas. This included organizing the Tri-County Community Health Improvement Coalition (Tri-CHIC), which consists of multiple health systems, public health departments, and nonprofit organizations. This coalition will develop a three-year plan focusing on one common priority for collective action.

"This collaborative effort will help reduce duplication of efforts with this process," Morgen explained. She also mentioned engaging public health officers and community members within six rural counties served by ThedaCare to ensure comprehensive representation.

The assessment noted disparities based on location and demographics:

- Urban areas have a lower sense of belonging

- Rural areas have higher smoking rates

- Lower-income individuals face more food insecurity and obesity

- People of Color experience higher housing cost burdens

- LGBTQ+ populations encounter more violence

Moving forward, ThedaCare plans to develop a three-year strategy focused on addressing these priorities. "The information we’ve gathered will serve as a roadmap helping to direct our resources," Morgen said.

The previous Community Health Needs Assessment from 2022 identified four priorities including aligning efforts across organizations, addressing mental health challenges, understanding social needs impacting health, and supporting children’s early development.