Successes from a community-academic partnership: The identification and prioritization of health needs in rural Appalachian Ohio

In 2007, a community-academic partnership between Ohio University and local health officials was formed to identify, prioritize, and respond to the health needs in two rural Appalachian Ohio counties. In 2008, a community health needs assessment was conducted to document and prioritize the health needs of the local residents. Data were collected from 5 focus groups (n = 32) and 8 individuals interviews conducted with community leaders and residents. In order to triangulate qualitative data, a modified BRFFS survey was developed and conducted (n = 399). Results from the needs assessment indicated the health of the participants was influenced by: rural Appalachian culture, geography and access to health care, and lack of access/knowledge about preventive health behaviors. As a result, 30% of the sample was obese, 35% had been diagnosed with arthritis, 16% with asthma, 14% with diabetes, and 10% with coronary heart disease. These results were presented to the community partners, who then presented the results to health practitioners/officials in each county in order to prioritize health issues. In both counties, the health officials chose obesity as the priority health issue. As a result, the partnership prepared and submitted two federally funded grant proposals aimed at reducing obesity in these communities. Conclusions: The partners worked collaboratively to design and implement a community health needs assessment. Given the successes of the partnership, both partners intend to continue to work toward increasing the health of individuals living in Appalachian Ohio.