Community Health Planning

The Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How's of this Process

Who?

Community members, community organizations, healthcare providers, and other community health experts all provided information that was utilized to develop the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The consulting group Community Health Insights conducted the CHNA on behalf of Siskiyou County Public Health, Fairchild Medical Center, and Mercy Medical Center Mt Shasta. Siskiyou County Public Health then reviewed the findings of the CHNA, along with the input of other community organizations, to develop the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

What?

The Siskiyou County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is a report on the status of the health and wellbeing of Siskiyou County residents. The collaborative report is conducted every 3 years, the most recent report being 2022.

The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is a plan-for-action developed by Siskiyou County Public Health, in collaboration with other organizations, based on the information collected in the CHNA. Together, the CHNA and CHIP help Siskiyou County Public Health and other organizations focus resources and health programs where they are needed most in the community.

Where?

The CHNA process involves participation from communities across Siskiyou County. Focus groups and key informant interviews were conducted with groups and individuals from across the county, as well as the Community Health Survey which was made available to all county residents to complete electronically.

When?

The original collaborative CHNA was completed in 2019, although both Fairchild Medical Center and Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta previously completed separate CHNAs. The latest CHNA was completed in early 2022.

Why do a Health Assessment and Improvement Plan?

Engage community members in health issues
To establish health priorities and promote action to achieve them
To understand health disparities in the community
To differentiate the needs of various communities within the county
To strengthen opportunities to compete for funding opportunities
To collaborate with partners and create a collective impact

Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health:

Why is it important to discuss what affects health and how we can improve these factors?

Social determinants of health are the conditions in the environment where people are born, live, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. Health Equity is that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

When developing health programs, it is important to consider both social determinants of health and health equity, and how they affect our community. By addressing the social determinants of health and ensuring equitable health practices in our community, we can create lasting change for the betterment of health in Siskiyou County.

What is Health Equity & Social Justice [PDF]

What are Social Determinants of Health [PDF]