Notice: The SMCHD phone system is experiencing issues for some users. If you are unable to get through, please call (301) 475-4350 and leave a message for a return call. IT support is working to resolve the issue. We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Health Improvement Process

Overview

The community health improvement process helps communities progress toward better health. The process begins with gathering population-level health information, analyzing it, creating a data-driven Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) to address the community’s greatest health needs, implementing the CHIP through the collaborative efforts of various community partners, and evaluating work to ensure outcomes are achieved. It is essentially strategic planning for population health. The process repeats every few years to make sure new information is considered.

What is a Health Improvement Plan?
A community health improvement plan (CHIP) provides a blueprint for improving the health of local residents. It provides insight into health solutions for the long term and presents a road map for achieving optimal health for all. Good health provides the foundation for a healthy community and economy.

How was the Maryland State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) developed and what does it contain?
Work on the Maryland State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) began in January 2011 by the State of Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. SHIP 2011-14 targets were selected after reviewing state, local and national plans and indicators, consulting with state officials, and meeting with health and community leaders to discuss health outcomes and factors. The SHIP includes 39 measures in six focus areas that represent what it means for Maryland to be healthy. Through ongoing public feedback, SHIP measures may be adjusted and revised.

What are local health priorities for St. Mary’s County?

In 2020, the second formal health improvement process for St. Mary’s County was launched. A comprehensive Community Health Assessment (CHA) was completed using quantitative and qualitative methods to systematically collect and analyze data to better understand health within our community. The results of this assessment are compiled in the 2020 Community Health Assessment for St. Mary’s County.

Key local health priorities were then chosen for the period of 2020 – 2026, according to the seriousness of the issue and the ability of the community to improve the health issue through coordinated community action during the six-year health improvement cycle.  The local health priorities for the 2020-2026 local health improvement process in St. Mary’s County are:

  • Behavioral Health (including mental health and substance use)
  • Chronic Disease
  • Environmental Health (including the natural and built environments)
  • Violence, Injury, and Trauma

Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership

The St. Mary’s County Health Department and other key community partners launched the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership (HSMP) in April 2013 to serve as the local health improvement coalition for St. Mary’s County. HSMP is community-driven and community-based. It includes an expanding number of public and private partners working together to address the priority health needs for St. Mary’s County, as set by the local health improvement process.

Through action teams, HSMP addresses the priority health areas for the current cycle of the local health improvement process by using the Healthy St. Mary’s 2026 community health improvement plan as a blueprint and guide. For the 2020–2026 cycle, health priority areas for St. Mary’s County and their corresponding action teams are as follows:

HSMP membership is free and open to all. Learn more online at: HealthyStMarys.com.

Additional Resources

Translate »