Contact: Adam Kisiel, Summit County Public Affairs Coordinator

SUMMIT COUNTY – Summit County Public Health will be hosting a Community Health Town Hall along with Centura St. Anthony Summit Hospital, and partners on Tuesday, Aug. 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Summit County Community and Senior Center.  The Summit County Community Health Town Hall will discuss the results from the Community Health Assessment, strategies for addressing health priorities in the community, and conversations with leaders addressing our community’s most pressing health issues. Some of the health issues that will be discussed include livability, mental health, and substance use.

"Summit County’s Community Health Assessment is an important community tool that identifies the multitude of factors that impact Summit County’s health and well-being,” said Summit County Commissioner Josh Blanchard.  “It plays a critical role in setting clear health improvement goals, prioritizing the issues that impact community health and developing locally-focused strategies to meet community health goals. Summit County appreciates our partners in this effort,” added Blanchard.  “I’m excited for our community health town hall to share out the results and collaborate with community partners in amending our next five-year community health improvement plan."

“I am excited about St. Anthony Summit Hospital’s commitment to improving the health of Summit County residents. By focusing our efforts on targeted health needs and fostering partnerships, we can significantly improve health outcomes in our community”, said Lee Boyles, Chief Executive Officer of St. Anthony Summit Hospital. 

Over the past several months, Summit County Public Health partnered with St. Anthony Summit Hospital, along with community partners, to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). This is in accordance with Colorado’s Public Health Act of 2008 that requires local public health agencies across the state to conduct a CHNA every five years. A community health assessment gives organizations comprehensive information about the community's current health status, needs, and factors that influence health through systematic, comprehensive data collection and analysis. This information helps develop a five-year community health improvement plan by justifying how and where resources should be allocated to best meet community needs and help everyone achieve equitable health outcomes that lead to longer healthier lives.  

Thank you in advance for your participation. “This work is key to determine the health direction for our county and we hope that all community members will take advantage of this opportunity to provide feedback and help us develop strategies, some that we work to deliver directly through Summit County Public Health, and some among community stakeholders and healthcare partners,” said Public Health Director Amy Wineland. “ All with the primary goal of helping everyone live healthier and longer lives.” 

Join members of the CHNA Steering Committee on Tuesday, August 9 at 5 p.m. for an interactive Community Health Assessment Town Hall. During this meeting, community members will review the results of the health assessment. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback and validation for the identified priority areas that will be addressed in the five-year Community Health Improvement Plan. Everyone is welcome to attend and light refreshments will be provided!

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