Health, Hospital Officials Survey 4 Counties About Area's Needs

TAMPA BAY, FL — The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties and local not-for-profit hospitals are joining efforts for the second year on a comprehensive survey to understand the needs of the communities.

The 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment survey for the four-county region is now open online until Feb. 28 and anyone in the community can participate. To take the survey, click here.

It asks questions related to access to health care, mental health, food insecurity and overall health and wellbeing. Participation is anonymous.

Results from the survey will help efforts by all members of the All4HealthFL Collaborative to improve the communities’ health.

Data collected from about 20,000 surveys and other feedback sessions during the 2019 CHNA effort resulted in several initiatives to address community needs, including:

• Tampa Bay Thrives, a collaboration between health systems, schools, law enforcement and other agencies to impact access to mental health services.
• Mental health first aid courses for first responders, educators and public officials.
• The launch of school-based food pantries and other initiatives addressing food insecurity.
• The creation of a database of behavioral health providers, reducing barriers to access to care, children’s health and safety programming

The members of All4HealthFL are hoping to match the 2019 survey participation rates, even in a largely virtual environment due to COVID-19, while also ensuring a diverse, representative response from the region.

Survey results will be used to develop or enhance programs that address the issues residents are most concerned about.

Hospitals participating include AdventHealth, BayCare Health System, Bayfront Health, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Lakeland Regional Health and Tampa General Hospital.