Public forum to be held on community health needs assessment

BERLIN - Berlin/Gorham Area Health and Human Service Providers are seeking local residents’ views on the draft 2013 Androscoggin Valley Community Health Needs Assessment.  The public is encouraged to attend and comment on the draft assessment at a public meeting April 4, at 4 p.m. in the Bistro at White Mountains Community College (WMCC) in Berlin.   A short presentation of the needs assessment results will be provided and a discussion will follow.  Light refreshments prepared by WMCC Bistro will be served.

Due to new regulations in The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed in 2010, all 501(c)(3) hospitals (not-for-profit or non-profit hospitals) must conduct a community health needs assessment (CHNA) process every three years to meet the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules.  Androscoggin Valley Hospital partnered with other members of the Androscoggin Valley Community Providers (AVCP) to conduct the 2013 Androscoggin Valley Community Health Needs Assessment.  Area health and human service providers assessed the community health care needs of the Androscoggin Valley by surveying community residents and reviewing health data about the population living in the region.  The results of the community health needs assessment have been compiled and this information will be shared with residents of the community at a public forum on April 4.  The results of the assessments and the discussion at the public forum will help the health care providers in the Androscoggin Valley determine which health issues cause greatest concern and plan interventions to address those issues.