Community Chat on Health Needs and Assets
Kim Maende • November 8, 2021
What health needs do you see in our region related to asthma or housing?
Join us on November 16th 2:00-3:00 pm for a Community Chat for the Hospital Coalition of Western Massachusetts 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment. The objective is to understand what a Community Health Needs Assessment is, why it is done, and to share experiences about community assets and emerging health needs in our communities.
Register here for more information: https://zoom.us/j/4137397739

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) is expanding its longstanding asthma prevention efforts into a regional Respiratory Health Coalition focused on reducing health inequities in the region with particular attention to Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee. Building on the success of the Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition and Healthy Air Network, the coalition will expand to address COPD, and lung cancer as well as asthma through coordinated action on prevention, education, environmental health, access to care, and policy advocacy. By bringing together healthcare providers, community organizations, residents, employers, public health leaders, and policymakers, the coalition will advance sustainable solutions that improve respiratory health outcomes while reducing the social and economic burden of chronic lung disease. This new Respiratory Health coalition will be meeting through the fall to finalize planning on communications, education, and policy advocacy. We have recruited 10 Resident Advisors to bring community resident voices to our process. In addition, we have representatives from Baystate Health, the cities of Chicopee, Holyoke & Springfield, Caring Health Center, Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Holyoke Health Center, Nuestras Raices, ReGreen Springfield, and Revitalize CDC. To learn more about Respiratory Health efforts, please sign up for our new Respiratory Health newsletter or contact Sarita Hudson, shudson@publichealthwm.org

