The Richmond County Health Department is preparing to conduct the 2013 Richmond County Community Health Assessment.
A key component of the assessment is a community health opinion survey. From May 9 until May 11 the Public Health staff, along with student volunteers from Richmond Community College, and other Richmond County health professionals, will conduct door-to-door surveys throughout the county to get citizens’ thoughts on the most pressing health needs in our community. Using tax mapping and and GIS information systems, households will be selected at random to participate in this survey. Questions asked on this survey will include identifying the major health problems in the county and access to health care. All data collected in this survey is anonymous and will not be linked to any individual.
If you are approached by County Health Department staff members with proper photo identification, you are encouraged to take this opportunity to participate in the 10 minute survey to share your thoughts on current health issues and how the community is addressing them. The surveys will be conducted on Thursday and Friday, May 9 and May 10, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Community Health Assessment process takes place every three years and is required of all health departments in North Carolina. In addition to the health opinion survey, other components include collecting state and nationally maintained data such as leading causes of death and incidence of chronic diseases.
Additionally, the Community Health Assessment Steering Committee is collecting data about community services, utilization of those services, and locally driven public health initiatives. Key community leaders of Richmond County will also be asked to provide their input regarding the health of Richmond County.
The Richmond County Health Department will continue its partnership efforts over 2013 and present a comprehensive report to the community in late 2013. At that time, utilizing input from community residents and local leaders, community health priorities to address major community health issues will be selected to focus on for the next three years.
For more information about the Community Health Assessment, contact the Health Department at 910-997-8300.





















