GREENWOOD, SC - July, 2012. This summer, Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood is conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment to help identify the greatest health needs in its seven-county service area.
A series of interviews, facilitated discussions, analyses and other tools are being utilized to gather this information in the Lakelands Region, which includes Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda counties.
Information collected will provide a better understanding of how each county is positioned in key areas of community health, including:
A person's ability to access health services has a profound effect on every aspect of his or her health. Services such as routine disease screening and scheduled immunizations both prevent and detect illnesses and diseases—from flu to cancer—in their earlier, more treatable stages, significantly reducing the risk of illness, disability, early death, and medical care costs. Poor air quality is linked to premature death, cancer, and long-term damage to respiratory and cardiovascular systems. An environment free of hazards, such as secondhand smoke, carbon monoxide, allergens, lead, and toxic chemicals, helps prevent disease and other health problems. The well-being of mothers, infants, and children determines the health of the next generation. Improving the health of a woman before she becomes pregnant results in better outcomes. People, including children and adolescents, with untreated mental health disorders are at high risk for many unhealthy and unsafe behaviors, including alcohol or drug abuse, violent or self-destructive behavior, and suicide. Motor vehicle crashes, homicide, domestic and school violence, child abuse and neglect, suicide, and unintentional drug overdoses are important health concerns in many communities. A healthful diet, regular physical activity, and achieving and maintaining a healthy weight are paramount to managing health conditions so they do not worsen over time. Abuse of drugs and alcohol is associated with a range of destructive social conditions, including family disruptions, financial problems, lost productivity, failure in school, domestic violence, child abuse, and more. Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States, yet more deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined. Good oral health allows a person to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and make facial expressions to show feelings and emotions. Poor oral health can result in cavities and gum disease. Untreated sexually transmitted diseases can lead to serious long-term health consequences.People with a quality education, stable employment, safe homes and neighborhoods, and access to preventive services tend to be healthier throughout their lives.The Community Health Needs Assessment is expected to be completed and ready for presentation by late September. Coordinating the assessment is the Dixon Hughes Goodman Health Consulting Group.
Those wishing to share input on this project should provide their information to us using the form on this page, or contact Rosemary Bell, Director of Community Outreach at rbell@selfregional.org, (864) 725-4660.