GREATER DES MOINES, IA (May 4, 2022) – Central Iowa leaders have announced the launch of a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), which provides a vision for a healthy community environment that supports and enables all Central Iowans to live healthy lives and encourages everyone to take responsibility for their health. In alignment with the Capital Crossroads Regional Vision Plan, a steering committee that included Broadlawns Medical Center, MercyOne, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, the Dallas County Public Health Department, the Polk County Public Health Department, Warren County Health Services, Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, United Way of Central Iowa, and Everystep, led the CHNA process. Following a request for proposals, a contract was awarded to Professional Research Consultants (PRC) to partner in conducting the 2021 CHNA.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires nonprofit hospitals to conduct a CHNA every three years. This allows for the creation of a single, mutli-hospital regional CHNA.

The 2021 CHNA plan identifies ten areas of opportunity, including:

– Mental Health
– Respiratory Disease/COVID-19
– Nutrition, Physical Activity & Weight
– Substance Abuse
– Heart Disease & Stroke
– Access to Health Care Services
– Infant Health & Family Planning
– Injury and Violence
– Sexual Health
– Cancer

The CHNA plan will be used by local health organizations to guide organizational practices, priorities, investments and policies. The Capital Crossroads Wellness Capital committee will provide an umbrella for organizations to continue to coordinate their efforts during the implementation stage.

“Our community’s health has an effect on our region’s overall vibrancy and well-being,” said Britney Appelgate, Director of Capital Crossroads. “The Community Health Needs Assessment gives leaders and organizations the tools and data we need to make decisions and plans that lead to better health for all who live in Central Iowa.”

To read the full plan, visit https://www.capitalcrossroadsvision.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2021-PRC-CHNA-Report-FINAL-Central-Iowa.pdf.

About Capital Crossroads

Capital Crossroads is a bold but achievable vision pushing Central Iowans to dream big, not settle for good enough, think long term, and work together. Capital Crossroads brings together nearly 700 community volunteers to meet the challenges of the future while building on our past successes. It is in partnership with Catch Des Moines, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Greater Des Moines Partnership, Polk County and the United Way of Central Iowa.