The Commonwealth of Kentucky is blessed with many assets that make it an incredible place to live and raise a family. Unfortunately, good health is not one of them. The state ranks among the 10 worst for such leading health indicators as cancer, obesity and death due to heart disease and stroke. Exacerbating these health challenges, more than half the state is designated as medically underserved with a growing scarcity of physicians, particularly in rural areas. To meet these daunting challenges, we are committed to:

• Providing the highest quality care close to home
• Reducing the incidence of disease
• Promoting health equity
• Advancing care delivery through clinical research and education
• Shaping and leading health policy

Community Health Needs Assessments

Every three years, each acute care hospital within CHI Saint Joseph Health conducts a community health needs assessment and an implementation strategies report.  Community health needs assessments (CHNA) support our purpose to enhance the health of people in the communities we serve by identifying health needs in these communities and prioritizing the allocation of hospital resources to meet those needs.  Additionally, the completion of these reports and subsequent approval and adoption by the Board of Directors complies with CHNA requirements mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and federal tax-exemption requirements.  

We are pleased to present this report documenting this important work.  Improving the health status of Kentuckians is a big job. If we are successful, all of our citizens will be the winners—as will generations to come.