Westchester Health Dept Launches Health Survey

The Westchester County Department of Health, and six other health departments in the Hudson Valley have teamed up, along with Siena College in Loudonville, NY, to launch a health survey. The survey asks Westchester residents ages 18 and older to assess their own health, as well as the health of their community.

Available in English and Spanish online and hard copy from now through June 11, the anonymous survey seeks to identify the top priority health issues for Westchester residents and their community, the most needed services and the largest obstacles that prevent access to care. The survey also asks questions that seek to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of residents.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “Your voice matters. In order to best serve you, our County Health Department needs public input about the health issues that concern you most as Westchester County residents. We want to be as inclusive as possible, so I am encouraging everyone to please take this survey if you can.”

Westchester County Commissioner of Health Sherlita Amler, MD, said, “Your participation can help shape the ways that the Health Department serves our communities. Community priorities change and the results of this survey will help us adapt to meet those changing needs.”

The survey will be distributed via email to a diverse range of community groups and will be available on paper and through a QR code on fliers placed in public locations such as local libraries, hospitals, clinics and County offices. Health Department staff also will be onsite at some locations to help promote the survey.

Survey results, available this fall, will be used by the County Health Department to help drive its community service agenda for the next three years. Known as a Community Health Needs Assessment, the survey is required by the State Health Department and is an element in the Community Health Improvement Plan, which all local health departments must develop. The state requires the County to select two priorities, one of which must address health inequities.