The Center and Cypress Research Group Collaborate with University Hospitals to Complete 12 CHNA Reports

Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 29, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Following a concerted, year-long collaboration between The Center for Health Affairs, University Hospitals, and Cypress Research Group, University Hospitals has released their 2015 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) reports.

The twelve UH hospital facility CHNAs include comprehensive analyses of both quantitative and qualitative data that have enabled University Hospitals to identify the greatest health needs in the geographic areas served by their hospitals. Accurate identification of significant health needs allows hospitals to effectively and efficiently direct outreach, prevention, and education efforts to areas where they can achieve the greatest impact.

Highlighting the importance of CHNA findings, University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center recently announced that their 2015 CHNA report will be used to guide the creation and expansion of programs designed to address the most pressing health needs of Lorain County residents. These efforts will be bolstered thanks to a generous $10.6 million gift from the Hampson Family Foundation and LaGrange resident Karen Mole.

The 2015-2016 time period marks the beginning of the second round of Community Health Needs Assessment reporting for hospitals in Northeast Ohio and across the nation. The majority of hospitals will be completing their CHNAs in 2016. A provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires hospitals to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and a corresponding implementation strategy − describing how they intend to address significant health needs − at least once every three years for all 501(c)(3) hospitals.

To learn more about The Center's CHNA services, please contact Kirstin Craciun, MSW, MPP, director of community outreach, at 216.255.3616 or via email.

With a rich history as the Northeast Ohio hospital association, dating back to 1916, The Center for Health Affairs serves as the collective voice of hospitals and the source for Northeast Ohio hospital and healthcare information. As the leading advocate for Northeast Ohio hospitals, The Center aims to enhance the effectiveness of the healthcare community and the health of the communities it serves by providing expertise, resources and solutions to address the challenges faced by the region's healthcare providers. The Center's efforts focus on areas that benefit member hospitals from a regional approach, including healthcare workforce; emergency preparedness; public policy and advocacy; finance and reimbursement; and community initiatives. And because of its business affiliation with CHAMPS Healthcare, The Center has the resources to provide a broad level of professional services to its members. The Center, located in downtown Cleveland, is proud to advocate on behalf of 34 acute-care hospitals and two long-term acute-care hospitals in six counties. The Center for Health Affairs is honored to be named as one of The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Top Workplaces in 2014 and 2015, as well as to ERC's NorthCoast99 List in 2003, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015. For more, visit neohospitals.org.