Be part of community health change
Community Engagement Event to be held 9-11 a.m. Thursday
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – What health challenges do you see in Monongalia County, and how would you fix them?
These are the discussions that county residents can be part of at the Monongalia County Community Engagement Event, held at the Mylan Park Community Center from 9-11 a.m. Thursday, March 31.
WVU Medicine Ruby Memorial Hospital has partnered with the West Virginia University School of Public Health and the Monongalia County Health Department to conduct a county-wide Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Community input is essential to determine the priorities that need to be addressed.
An online survey has collected more than 900 responses to questions related to health challenges in the county. To complete the survey, go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/communityhealth_assessment. The engagement event will allow community members and groups to have a voice in exploring local health challenges and resources.
“The health issues we face in our communities are bigger than any one entity. Only by aligning our collective resources can be begin to address these complex social issues,” Lillian Smith, Dr.P.H., WVU School of Public Health interim associate dean for academic affairs and community engagement, said. “I’m thrilled that WVU Medicine recognizes the importance of partnerships to ensure community-based solutions.”
Participants at the event will have the opportunity to help identify trends, events, and factors that affect the community, drawing attention to concerns and solutions that others may overlook. The conversation will be structured as a series of round-table discussions on various community health topics, including the environmental, social, political, and economic forces that impact health in the community.
Information gathered from the event and the online survey will be combined to identify health and community priorities and develop strategies that the hospital can then use to take action for each health need.
Terra Café will provide light refreshments at the event.
Please RSVP to the WVU School of Public Health at sph-engage@hsc.wvu.edu.