Hospitals are part of the fabric of the community, uniquely positioned to support residents’ health and social needs. To do this effectively, they must have a comprehensive understanding of the health challenges and resources needed in San Diego. That is why the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is such an essential tool — and with your help, we can ensure that our community partners and the communities we serve have the opportunity to share their perspectives.
One of the most important strategies for engaging hospitals and community members in our assessment is the online CHNA survey. We encourage you to take a few minutes to complete it and then share it with your networks to ensure we are able to include as many voices as possible from across the region. The survey closes on Sept. 6, so don’t wait — your input is crucial.
Over the past few months, our research consultants at the Institute for Public Health at San Diego State University have conducted focus groups and interviews with key community partners who have expert knowledge of high-need communities. Their feedback informed the development of this in-depth survey about health and social needs, access-to-care challenges, and the health and well-being of children. The survey results will inform the prioritization process for the 2025 CHNA report that will be released in the spring.
The CHNA is a collaborative effort among HASD&IC, health systems, the County of San Diego, and community stakeholders. Uniquely in our region, public, nonprofit, and investor-owned hospitals all come together to take part, making this assessment a truly comprehensive reflection of the challenges and solutions in our region.
The CHNA findings help inform hospital priorities and have historically highlighted critical needs such as food insecurity, human trafficking, and homelessness. While hospitals alone cannot solve these problems, they play a crucial role alongside other stakeholders in improving outcomes. That’s why your participation and assistance in sharing the survey is vital. This is not a “check-the-box” exercise but a genuine opportunity to help identify the most important health and social challenges faced by the communities you serve.
The CHNA is more than just a report; it is a powerful tool that deepens our understanding of the region, helps prioritize and allocate resources where they are most needed, and provides leverage to bring additional resources into the community. Share your voice and contribute to this critical process, ensuring that health interventions lead to better health outcomes and a stronger, more equitable community.