Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan

We need data to understand the health status of our communities, set goals, and know whether we have made a difference for the health of us all. Lorain County Public Health, with partners from hospitals and many community agencies, collectively assesses and prioritizes community needs to improve the health and well-being of residents.

The first step is a comprehensive community health assessment (CHA) - a survey that includes questions about:

• Adult health behaviors, conducted by the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio
• Youth health behaviors, conducted by the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County, now part of the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County.

Next, using CHA results and local and state data sources to identify health priorities, partners create and implement a community health improvement plan (CHIP). This 3-year plan involves collaboration to achieve unified strategies. Current Lorain County CHIP priorities include:

1. Chronic disease
2. Maternal and child health
3. Mental health
4. Substance abuse
5. Cancer

Current data from the 2019 Lorain County Community Health Assessment

Current 2020-2022 Lorain County Community Health Improvement Plan, released December 2019

Past Community Health Assessments

• 2011 Lorain County Community Health Assessment
• 2015 Lorain County Community Health Assessment

Past Community Health Improvement Plans

• 2014-2019 Lorain County Community Health Improvement Plan