CHI Week Spotlights the Role of Community Health Assessments
6/9/2025
Tara Draeger, Director of System Community Health Improvement at Aspirus Health
Community Health
Improvement Week, observed June 9 through 13, recognizes the work of public
health professionals and partners who build healthier communities through
collaboration and prevention. At Aspirus Health, this work is visible
year-round through efforts like the Community Health Needs Assessment
(CHNA).
Conducted every
three years, the CHNA helps Aspirus and its partners identify the top health
concerns facing the people they serve. The process includes surveys, focus
groups, and local health data collected in collaboration with public health
departments and other regional hospitals.
“The CHNA gives us a
structured way to listen,” said Tara Draeger, Director of System Community
Health Improvement at Aspirus Health. “It helps us understand what matters most
to each community and where we can have the greatest impact.”
The findings guide
hospital-level strategies that address priority issues such as mental health,
chronic disease, substance use, and access to care. According to the CDC,
community health assessments are an essential tool for aligning resources and
reducing health disparities.
Aspirus’ CHI
professionals then work to put those strategies into action through programs,
partnerships, and policy efforts tailored to local needs. These efforts reflect
the system’s belief that improving health requires more than clinical care. It
depends on listening, trust, and long-term commitment.
For example, in
response to concerns about access to healthy food, Aspirus supports a fruit and
vegetable voucher program in partnership with local public health and community
organizations. Families who qualified received vouchers that could be used at farmers
markets and grocery stores, helping them purchase fresh produce while
supporting local food systems.
“We want people to
see that we’re not just showing up once,” Draeger said. “We’re here to work
alongside them over time.”
As part of CHI Week,
Aspirus encourages residents to take an active role in shaping the health of
their communities. Reviewing the CHNA is one way to understand what issues
matter most locally and how those challenges are being addressed.
To view the full
reports and learn more about community health efforts in your area, visit: aspirus.org/community-reports-needs.
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