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Working to improve the health of our community
Healthy Adams County is a collaborative partnership of community members dedicated to continuing assessment, development and promotion of efforts toward improving physical, mental and social well-being.
Healthy Adams County seeks to create a higher quality of life throughout our community by improving physical, mental, and social well-being.
Working together for the community’s health...
Healthy Adams County has the generous support of 650 members serving on a variety of committees and task forces. The members have the opportunity to address a variety of critical quality of life issues.
Healthy Adams County Affiliated Task Forces
How it all started...
In 1996, the first Adams County Community Health Assessment was completed. The Adams County Council of Community Services, a not-for-profit forum of health and human service provider agencies, surveyed residents and health providers to compile information on the community's health status, risk behaviors, and related needs. Galvanized by the findings of the needs assessment, a group of concerned citizens – with organization support and funding from Gettysburg Hospital -- established the Adams County Partnership for Community Health (now called Healthy Adams County).
Continuing to respond to the need...
The second Adams County Community Health Assessment, coordinated by the Partnership, occurred during the Spring 2001. The Partnership engaged its membership in evaluating the initial findings and set priorities for the next three years.
As a result of four mini planning retreats, conducted for the partnership Board, task force and committee leaders, and representatives from Gettysburg Hospital and other community stakeholders, the community health partnership serving Adams County has undergone several changes.
This first strategic planning effort focused on the findings of the latest community health needs assessment (2002) and led to a name change from The Adams County Partnership for Community Health to Healthy Adams County. In addition, the Mission and Vision statements were revised and a new logo created.
Recommendations for Improving Health in Adams County...
The primary recommendation (goal) of the strategic planning participants was to improve health status in Adams County by addressing current issues. The top five were identified in order of priority:
- Medical care access
- Dental care access
- Affordable housing
- Transportation access
- (tied) Mental health access
Youth issues (delinquency, teen sexuality, STD’s, teen pregnancy, violence/conflict resolution, recreation/activities, education/training, smoking and smokeless tobacco)
(delinquency, teen sexuality, STD’s, teen pregnancy, violence/conflict resolution, recreation/activities, education/training, smoking and smokeless tobacco)
Other needs identified were: employment/financial problems, childcare, family violence, substance abuse, elderly services/chronic disease, disease demographics (heart, stroke tobacco, sedentary lifestyle, cancer), racism and intolerance, literacy, marketing (health and human services), provision of services to undocumented residents, planning for rapid population growth, family stability/family composition, parenting skills, and motor vehicle accidents/seatbelt use.
For more information, contact
Kathy Gaskin, Executive Director
424 S. Washington Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 337-4137
e-mail kgaskin@wellspan.org
Do you want to help improve the way Adams County lives?
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