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Akron Children's Community Needs Assessment identifies focus areas
YOUNGSTOWN
The high infant mortality rate is the greatest health problem for children in Mahoning County, according to a community health-needs assessment conducted by Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.
Independent community needs assessment studies were conducted for Akron Children’s in Akron and Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley, and there were not a lot of differences except in infant mortality, said Bernett L. Williams, vice president of external affairs for Akron Children’s.
Infant mortality rates were much higher in Mahoning County compared with those in peer communities, the state, and the nation, she said.
“As a result, we knew we had to go in that direction. It was disturbing enough that we added a fourth priority, infant mortality.” Williams said.
Part of the focus is providing resources to target communities. Akron Children’s feels very strongly about developing and focusing on priorities,” she said.
According to a study conducted by the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Institute for Equity in Birth Outcomes, overall infant mortality rates per 1,000 births in Mahoning County were 4.9 in 2006, 8.8 in 2007, 8.9 in 2008, 10.9 in 2009, and 11.6 in 2010, said Patricia Sweeney, commissioner of the Mahoning County District Board of Health.
In Ohio in 2010, the overall infant mortality rate per 1,000 births was 7.7; and in the United States in 2010, the overall infant mortality rate per 1,000 births was 6.14., Sweeney said.
Initially, eight health needs for adults and children were identified as priorities by the 2013 Community Needs Assessment: chronic diseases, such as asthma and diabetes; maternal and infant health, such as premature births and infant mortality; child lifestyle factors, such as obesity, exercise and nutrition; mental health concerns for children; substance abuse, including opiate drug abuse; sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea; access to health care, including health insurance coverage and access to pediatric specialists; and environmental factors, including access to healthful food.
From the issues on the list for Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley, four were chosen for emphasis: They are diabetes, asthma, mental health and infant mortality.
Of the four, infant mortality is Mahoning County’s greatest problem when compared with other like counties, state and national statistics, Williams said.
“We developed an implementation team in October and November 2013 and the work began Jan. 1,” said Williams.
The implementation team, headed by Dr. Elena Rossi, neonatologist and associate chair of pediatrics at Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley, is comprised primarily of clinical people, such as doctors, nurses from Akron Children’s. The next step is to add partners from community-based organizations, public health departments and Federally Qualified Health Centers such as One Health Ohio in Youngstown, Williams said.
“What’s so exciting about internal teams is that the members are all experts in their areas,” she said.
Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley’s recently completed a Community Health Needs Assessment, done in conjunction with the Kent State University College of Public Health, and reviewed a wide variety of epidemiologic data for Columbiana, Trumbull and Mahoning counties. Additional input was obtained from community resident focus groups and interviews with community leaders and public health experts, said Sharon Hrina, vice president of Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley.
“The input that was provided by these focus groups and community leaders helped to reinforce the data that was gathered. This collaborative effort will allow us to work with other organizations to improve many of the health disparities in our community,” Hrina said.
A steering committee comprised of members from the hospital directed the effort, which began in April 2013.
This is the second time Akron Children’s has conducted a community health-needs assessment; the first was in 2010. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 now requires nonprofit hospitals to conduct community health needs assessments every three years, Williams said.
“Whether this is a mandated activity or not, I know those of us at Akron Children’s believe this is part of our mission — to listen to and learn from the community,” said William Considine, president and chief executive officer of Akron Children’s.
“We are fortunate to live in a community that has so many wonderful organizations and agencies committed to helping people and improving lives,” Considine said.