A change in priorities is perhaps the most significant finding of a 2015 Community Health Needs Assessment, when compared to a previous assessment in 2012.
Four of the five new priorities - mental health, substance abuse, adult oral health and heath literacy - were not among the top five in the 2012 assessment.
Three years ago, the priorities largely were physiological maladies, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.
The changes reflect a more comprehensive, more holistic approach to health care.
The assessment for the four-county area - including Cole, Miller, Moniteau and Osage counties - was performed by the Central Missouri Community Health Assessment Partnership. The partners were Capital Region Medical Center, SSM St. Mary's Hospital, Jefferson City Medical Group, Community Health Center of Central Missouri, the United Way of Central Missouri and county health departments.
The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires nonprofit hospitals to complete the evaluation every three years.
We have no quarrel with this component of the ACA; we believe a comprehensive assessment of area needs deserves to be a foundation for developing resources and services.
And the assessment was comprehensive, using data, surveys, polls of health care providers and discussion groups, and forums for residents, community leaders and medical professionals.
Among comments and conclusions:
• "A lot of people are struggling with mental health issues that end up committing crimes, and then the police are left to handle the situation," one forum participant said.
• Access to substance abuse treatment, detox or recovery programs was identified as an area in need of improvement.
• Among 527 people surveyed, 40 percent identified dental health as a challenge.
• Regarding health literacy, Tiffany Rutledge, Capital Region's corporate and community health supervisor, observed: "There's a ton of information available, but they don't know how to interpret it."
The 2015 assessment strikes us as a accurate evaluation of health care needs. It also reflects an expanded view that recognizes mental health, oral health and substance abuse and addiction as priories.
Community needs change. Assessing them periodically is an important step in developing efficient, effective responses, resources and services.