(MONTEREY COUNTY, CALIF.) — Eight organizations are teaming up to address the major health needs of residents of the Monterey Bay and Salinas Valley regions. The Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative is a partnership that was established in 2022 between Montage Health, Salinas Valley Health, Mee Memorial Healthcare System, Natividad, the Monterey County Health Department, and United Way Monterey County. The Collaborative was formed to more effectively identify, address, and improve the health and well-being of the local community. This year, two additional partners have joined the Collaborative; California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB), and Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance).

Nonprofit hospitals must complete a community health needs assessment every three years, and health departments are required to do a health assessment every five years. Typically,

organizations do the assessment and address issues independently. Through the Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative, the hospitals, in partnership with the Monterey County Health Department and other partners, are working with a professional survey firm and the California Hospital Association to conduct public surveys to yield anonymous and confidential health, social and economic data. The information along with other fact-based input will allow the organizations to prioritize and address the most pressing health needs.

"We are proud to be part of this collaborative effort, which demonstrates our shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of all Monterey County residents," says Dr. Mike McDermott, President/CEO of Montage Health. "By combining the expertise of hospitals, public health departments, and local organizations, we are not just responding to immediate health concerns but actively working together to build a healthier future for our community."

Professional Research Consultants (PRC), a public opinion research consultant, conducts 1,000 randomized bilingual phone surveys. There is also an opt-in online survey for Monterey County residents. The Collaborative is urging community members to participate if called or fill out the confidential 15-minute online survey at www.healthymontereycounty.org.

“The public can play a critical role in helping shape future health and wellness services,” says Dr. Allen Radner, Salinas Valley Health President/CEO. “Survey responses provide a blueprint aimed at closing the gap of healthcare inequities. We want everyone to have access to the services they need and deserve.”

The results from the 2022 survey showed the following health issues for Monterey County health leaders to address:

1. Diabetes

2. Mental Health

3. Access to Health Care Services

4. Nutrition, Physical Activity & Weight

5. Heart Disease & Stroke

With the information from these surveys, combined with other public health data, the Collaborative will work to identify trends and develop ways to address the largest local health and social needs. Once this publicly reported assessment is complete, community organizations may use it for everything from planning to grant reporting for health outcomes. The Community Health Needs Collaborative partners will be able to work from the same data set and with the same assessment tools to identify trends and major health issues. Other county organizations and partners can then also work individually and collectively to create or enhance programs to respond to community health needs.

“One of the outcomes of our Impact Monterey County initiative has been this comprehensive coordination of health assessments, says Katy Castagna, President and CEO, United Way, Monterey County. “We are honored to work with our many healthcare providers to maximize impact and value for identifying and addressing community needs.”

“The more we know about the unmet healthcare needs of our communities, the more hospitals, public health officials, and local organizations can do to make the Monterey region a better place to live for everyone,” says Jo Coffaro, Regional Vice President of the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California. “The community health needs assessment is a vital tool for identifying Monterey County’s top health concerns, and our partnership will result in a comprehensive and coordinated effort to improve the health and well-being of our region.”

Past efforts from community health needs assessments have steered funding, resources, and programs to improve access to healthcare and provide more programs to address treatable health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

How can residents participate?

Community members can participate by filling out an online survey which is highly confidential and anonymous. To access the survey and to get more information about the Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative, visit www.healthymontereycounty.org.

This survey will help us recognize and address the health issues hitting our diverse population the hardest,” said Natividad CEO Dr. Chad Harris. “The survey is available in Spanish and English, and we encourage all Monterey County residents to give us their input.”

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ABOUT MONTAGE HEALTH

Montage Health is a nonprofit healthcare organization with deep roots in Monterey County dating back more than 90 years. Independent and locally owned, Montage Health was created by Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula to deliver exceptional care beyond the hospital. Montage Health now also includes MoGo Urgent Care, Montage Wellness Center, Montage Health Foundation, Montage Medical Group for primary and specialty care, Aspire Health, and Ohana, Montage Health's family-focused mental health program for youth. Montage Health is continually investing in healthcare innovations to make the highest standard of care accessible to everyone in Monterey County. Learn more at montagehealth.org.

ABOUT SALINAS VALLEY HEALTH

Salinas Valley Health exists to help our community rise through good health. Founded in 1953 as Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System, today we serve individuals and families throughout the Salinas Valley, Monterey Peninsula, and surrounding region. Salinas Valley Health employs more than 2,000 people and consists of a network of resources and collaborations which include a 263-bed acute care medical center; primary, specialty and urgent care clinics; a mobile clinic; and community-based health and wellness programs such as Blue Zones Project Monterey County. We deliver evidence-based quality and patient-focused care to improve health and wellbeing for all. www.SalinasValleyHealth.com.

ABOUT NATIVIDAD

Natividad, a hospital and trauma center in Salinas, is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Founded in 1886, Natividad offers a comprehensive range of medical services, including inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and specialty care for adults and children. As the region's only Level II Trauma Center, Natividad delivers lifesaving medical services that save lives and keep patients close to home. The 172-bed medical center handles over 11,000 admissions and 60,000 emergency visits each year and hundreds of people count on the award-winning Sam Karas Rehabilitation Center to Natividad is also recognized as a top maternity hospital by U.S. News & World Report, where nearly 2,400 babies are welcomed into the world annually. With an accredited Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the hospital ensures that the most fragile infants receive the best possible care. Through its UCSF-affiliated Natividad Family Medicine Residency, Natividad is the only teaching hospital in Monterey County. For more information about Natividad, call (831) 755-4111 or visit www.natividad.com.