Regional Health Planning Initiative: Assessment, Planning, Evaluation

Background: With the belief that planning across the region could be an effective way to address common health needs, the seven counties of the Lower Hudson Valley in collaboration with New York Medical College formed a Regional Health Planning Initiative. The group was awarded a $1,000,000 HEAL 9 grant from the NYSDOH. Objectives: The scope of the initiative included 1) a regional health assessment to identify priority areas and health system partnerships; 2) participatory data collection via survey and focus groups; 3) data analysis on local and regional levels to provide insights lost in state wide data collection efforts and 4) dissemination of information through a web-based portal. Methods: An evaluation of health indicators identified priority chronic disease prevention areas. A survey (n=6911) at community based sites provided information on health access, behaviors, and outcomes. A regional summit for community stakeholders focused on sharing of local programs. Results: The primary outcome of this regional planning initiative includes evidence-based and local-best programs and practices of disease prevention strategies that can be applied across county level borders within the Lower Hudson Valley Region. Consideration was given to building capacity and changing programs or policies for adaptability region-wide. External validation of the impact of the regional planning process will be incorporated in the 2013 Community Health Assessment process. Conclusion: Regional health planning can be implemented in a structured approach that is not only participatory at the community level but can be designed to measure effectiveness.