6/17/2024
Media Contact: Rachel Dumene, Rachel.Dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-480-4998

Central Shenandoah Health District to Conduct Rapid Community Assessment

STAUNTON, Va – The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD), along with our local healthcare partners, will be conducting a Rapid Community Assessment (RCA) over the next month.

A Rapid Community Assessment is a process that collects data from a community. That data is then used to influence programs that are created based on healthcare needs in the area.

The goal behind this assessment is to identify the healthcare needs in areas or among populations that face barriers or challenges when accessing care, and to build the relationship between the local health district and local health providers with rural populations through the development of future healthcare services.

The RCA will consist of a survey that will either be facilitated by CSHD’s Community Health Workers or can be completed individually on participant’s smart devices. CSHD plans to canvas door-to-door with this survey throughout the district, and to visit local businesses seeking participants.

The survey is available in both English and Spanish online and can be provided in Arabic to those who need it.

“Through the collection of data from people within our district, we hope to identify areas that are in need of extra support. We can use this information to improve healthcare access to allow our community to thrive,” says Dr. Allison Baroco, Health Director of CSHD. “Participation in this survey is crucial for us to deliver care to those who need it most.”

To see what services your local health departments currently offer, look on the CSHD website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/central-shenandoah/health-services/

To participate in this Rapid Community Assessment, find the survey here: https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=JDAXHCJA39MWH7MD