Healthy Acadia, Mount Desert Island Hospital and Health Centers and more than a dozen other local nonprofit organizations serving Hancock County’s Mount Desert Island region collaborated over the past six months to scrutinize the community’s health strengths, challenges, and priorities. The findings were unveiled on May 1 in a comprehensive 40-page report titled, “2024 Community Health Needs Assessment and Action Plan” for the greater Mount Desert Island region. This area encompasses the municipalities of Bar Harbor, Cranberry Isles, Frenchboro, Lamoine, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Swan’s Island, Tremont, and Trenton. A condensed two-page overview is also accessible online at https://healthyacadia.org/hpm-chaap.
The report incorporates findings from a survey completed by over 400 year-round and seasonal residents during the winter of 2023-24. These results underwent analysis and comparison with existing data from entities such as the US Census Bureau and the Maine CDC.
Among the striking findings:
- Access to safe and affordable housing was the most commonly voiced concern, despite the survey focusing on “health” issues.
- The cost of healthcare and prescription drugs was the second most cited concern.
- The survey revealed perceptions of long wait times and other barriers to accessing care, particularly for dental services and mental and behavioral health, including substance use.
The report recommends goals and strategies to address unmet needs. The framework encourages Mount Desert Island Hospital, Healthy Acadia, and other community members and organizations to work together and to build upon current assets.
“We welcome all individuals, organizations, businesses, and other entities to use this tool in ways that align best with their individual goals, needs, and resources” explained Shoshona Smith of Healthy Acadia. Over 40 community leaders contributed to this project by serving on our Steering Committee and six working groups. They provided valuable advice from the very beginning and each step along the way. We feel confident that this report represents a strong cross-section of experiences and expertise and hope it will be used for programmatic and strategic planning and for grant writing and fundraising, among other uses.”
Chrissi Maguire, president/CEO of MDI Hospital and Health Centers says of the report, “The Community Health Needs Assessment serves as our compass, guiding our efforts to address the evolving needs of those we serve. It is not just a report; it is a strategic roadmap that ensures we remain responsive and relevant to the health concerns of our community. In the coming years, this assessment will continue to be our vital tool, shaping our strategies and initiatives to ensure we meet the needs of our community with precision and compassion.”
An electronic version of the report is available at bit.ly/2024-MDI-Region-CHNA. For more information or to schedule a presentation about this report, or if you are interested in learning how to get involved in community health efforts, please email [email protected] or call 207-667-7171.
Healthy Acadia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that engages in a broad range of initiatives to build healthier communities and make it easier for people to lead healthy lives across Washington and Hancock counties, Maine. Learn more at www.healthyacadia.org.
