Maricopa County Public Health Seeking Feedback in Survey Measuring Strengths and Challenges of Achieving Health

Maricopa County officials are reaching out to the community for insight into the Phoenix area’s top public health issues.

What health issues have the most impact on community members today? What barriers do people face when seeking health care? Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) is in the final weeks of collecting input from county residents to understand the strengths and challenges of having good health in the community. Residents are invited to take the survey and share feedback on how to improve quality of life and well-being where they live, learn, work, and play.

Every three years, MCDPH collects resident input in collaboration with community organizations, municipalities, and healthcare partners as part of a broader Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). In addition to identifying factors that contribute to overall quality of life, the CHNA also examines what issues may affect some communities more than others.

“We rely on this survey to learn what community members feel is most important, what health issues are growing in concern, and where we and our partners should focus our efforts and funding,” shared Lilliana Cardenas, MCDPH manager overseeing CHNA efforts.

Past surveys have identified mental health issues, alcohol/substance use and homelessness as the top health and social concerns for residents.

The CHNA survey is anonymous and open to all Maricopa County residents ages 12 and up. The survey is available in 14 languages commonly spoken by county residents to ensure everyone has a chance to share feedback. MCDPH is looking to collect 15,000 responses from residents by June 21, 2023, with increased representation this time from populations with low response rates in past surveys. Groups that are currently underrepresented in the survey results so far include residents ages 12-19, older adults, Native Americans, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, veterans, people who identify as LGBTQ+, and people living with disabilities.

“We know that not everyone has the same experiences or access to the resources to live a healthy life,” added Cardenas. “Thanks to residents and partners who take and share the survey, we get feedback from all parts of Maricopa County to understand how different factors impact people’s health and well-being, whether that’s due to geography, economic status, demographics or other factors.”

Data collected from the CHNA survey are vital to direct the focus of public health operations and guide healthcare systems, municipalities and local organizations working to improve the health and well-being of county residents. Results from past surveys have allowed MCDPH to:

• Share data and resident feedback with major hospitals and healthcare providers to inform health care delivery
• Direct funding to local organizations to address health needs prioritized by the community
• Inform the development of the Community Health Improvement Plan organized by community partners
• Develop the Voices of Maricopa County dashboard to share resident stories and experiences

MCDPH relies on support from community partners and residents to help promote the survey.

• Learn more about the survey, view past survey results, and access the toolkit residents can use to share the survey at maricopahealthmatters.org.
• Download an infographic showing survey progress.
• Data results from the survey will be available in Winter 2023.

Take the survey at bit.ly/maricopachna.