Northeast Florida’s Critical Health Needs Revealed by Community Assessment

Access to health care, safe and stable housing, mental health support, and healthy food environments are among the most urgent needs facing Northeast Florida, according to the latest Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), as reported by the Northeast Florida Nonprofit Hospital Partnership.

Conducted every three years, the CHNA gathers insight from surveys, focus groups and interviews across Northeast Florida’s five counties. This year, more than 200 residents shared their experiences, helping to highlight how social and economic conditions directly shape health outcomes.

Scott Kashman, president and CEO of Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside, said health needs assessments provide a critical opportunity to listen to communities.

“Through surveys, focus groups and listening sessions, we hear directly from residents and local leaders about the challenges they face and the resources they need to thrive,” said Kashman. “We ensure those most affected by health inequities have a meaningful voice in shaping solutions. This process builds trust, brings transparency and deepens our understanding of the social and economic factors that influence health. They help us look beyond hospital walls to focus on prevention, community well-being and directing resources where they can make the greatest and most equitable impact.”

The report continues to underscore that while only 20% of health outcomes are tied to clinical care, as much as 50% are influenced by social factors such as access to affordable housing, nutritious food, transportation and economic stability. These challenges can significantly impact the ability to stay healthy, manage illnesses and maintain well-being – especially among vulnerable populations such as children, seniors, veterans and underrepresented populations within the community.

For the first time in decades, mental health is not the highest prioritized need. Access to care, which includes access to health insurance and transportation, is now the top concern. Additionally, the CHNA also reveals housing – the cost burden (affordability) and homelessness – as well as access to food – the availability of healthy food and food security – as prioritized needs of the community.

“The latest data has revealed a noticeable shift in health care challenges for our communities, with social factors such as the lack of transportation, housing, access to healthy food and insurance now surpassing mental health as the most pressing needs. While mental health remains a priority concern, Northeast Florida residents are struggling to obtain basic services that impact their health and quality of life,” said Michael A. Mayo, DHA, FACHE, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “We are hopeful that through community-based collaborations we can address these concerns as we work to build a healthier future for the communities we serve.”

“This assessment gives us a clear picture of the challenges our community faces and the opportunities we have to come together to improve them,” said Doug Baer, President & CEO of Brooks Rehabilitation. “By prioritizing mental health, we were able to make a significant shift together for the community. Aligning efforts now around access to care, housing, healthy food and transportation, I’m confident we can make real progress in improving quality of life.”

“UF Health Jacksonville has a long history of serving people throughout the community, treating everyone who comes through our doors with compassion to provide the highest quality of care,” said Patrick L. Green, FACHE, senior vice president and Northeast Florida regional president. “Together with other health systems, we are committed to collaborative approaches that use innovation to drive meaningful, lasting improvements in health outcomes across our region.”

Since its formation in 2008, the Northeast Florida Nonprofit Hospital Partnership (formerly known as the Jacksonville Nonprofit Hospital Partnership) – which includes Ascension St. Vincent’s, Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Brooks Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic in Florida and UF Health – has worked collaboratively to identify and address health needs across the region. The CHNA’s findings and identified needs will guide each health system’s individualized implementation strategies, and historically, each have supported at least one community collaborative effort implemented with the understanding of all five health systems.

“The CHNA represents the best of what can happen when health systems collaborate,” said Kent Thielen, CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida. “Together, we can take meaningful steps to ensure care is accessible, mental health is prioritized, housing is stable, and healthy food is within reach for every resident.”

The CHNA’s findings and identified needs will guide each health system’s individualized implementation strategies. Historically, the hospitals have each supported at least one community collaborative effort implemented with the backing of all five health systems.

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About the Northeast Florida Nonprofit Hospital Partnership

In July 2008, leaders from Baptist Health, Brooks Rehabilitation, the Clay County Health Department, the Duval County Health Department, Mayo Clinic in Florida, the Nassau County Health Department, the Putnam County Health Department, UF Health Jacksonville (then Shands Jacksonville Medical Center), and Ascension St. Vincent’s came together and formed the Jacksonville Nonprofit Hospital Partnership (the Partnership) to conduct the first-ever multihospital system and public health sector collaborative Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The group reexamined the goals of the partnership – to evaluate the community’s health needs of all Northeast Florida residents – appropriately renaming itself the Northeast Florida Nonprofit Hospital Partnership. This group brings together five leading health systems and 16 hospital campuses across Northeast Florida to conduct collaborative community health needs assessments and create collective strategies to improve health outcomes.