Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs)

To ensure that we always serve the needs of the communities we serve, each hospital in our health system conducts health needs assessments. Assessing community health needs and developing the appropriate plans to address these needs are essential to improving and sustaining the health of our communities. These assessments allow us to understand each individual community, the needs identified and the process for moving forward to improve health throughout Louisiana and Mississippi.

Although this has been a commitment for many years, the passage in 2010 of the Affordable Care Act has brought additional purpose and focus to this process. In each community, we work with other healthcare providers, community organizations, advocates and other leaders to develop the assessment. Once complete, we develop strategies to address the needs.

Serving as the hands and feet of Jesus, the people of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System have been moved to respond to the needs of the community members we are privileged to serve, especially those in most need. The hospitals in our health system share two common goals linked to access to care: (1) Social Determinants of Health and (2) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Other significant community needs being addressed in the current CHNAs are:

• access to cancer screenings, primary care, mental health, and transportation
• diabetes
• maternal and child health
• improving health literacy, sexually transmitted disease and HIV
• violence prevention
• care for the elderly
• obesity / sedentary lifestyles
• substance abuse
• affordable healthcare for people/families with low income
• counseling services for depression or anxiety
• heart health or cardiovascular health
• prescription assistance
• specialty care services