May 1, 2024 – Last May, the Allentown Health Bureau launched a comprehensive Community Health Needs Project to evaluate the individual and community health within the City of Allentown.

Utilizing the Mobilizing for Action through Planning & Partnership (MAPP) framework, developed by the National Association of County and City Health Officials, this project aimed to identify and prioritize the most pressing population health issues and align resources across sectors for strategic action.

The MAPP framework facilitated a thorough assessment of the public health environment, leveraging local resources and input from various stakeholders including local health systems, community-based organizations, and community advocates. This process consisted of four assessments:

1. Community Health Status Assessment, which identified priority community health and quality of life issues in the City of Allentown;
2. Forces of Change Assessment, which identified impending changes such as legislation and technology that affect the community and its public health system;
3. Local Public Health System Assessment, which focuses on all the organizations and entities that contribute to the public’s health;
4. Community Themes and Strengths Assessment, which integrates resident input through health surveys and focus groups to gain deeper insights into important issues.

Based on the findings from the MAPP assessments, three key issues have been identified as top priorities for inclusion in the City’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The CHIP represents a long-term, systematic effort to address public health problems and improve community well-being.

The three key issues identified are:

Loneliness & Social Isolation: Associated with increased mortality risk from various causes, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory illness, and mental health challenges. This issue disproportionately affects a diverse range of individuals, including youth, elderly, unemployed individuals, low-income residents, racial and ethnic minorities, and veterans.

Safe, Stable & Affordable Housing: Poor-quality housing is linked to negative health outcomes, such as chronic diseases, injuries, and mental health issues. This issue disproportionately affects low-income residents, racial and ethnic minorities, and seniors.

Upward Economic Mobility: Economic disparities and financial insecurity impact health outcomes and lifespan, particularly among low-income residents and minorities. Lack of access to resources for wealth acquisition and education correlates with decreased health and well-being.

These findings underscore the critical importance of addressing social determinants of health to improve community well- being and health equity.

For more information about the Community Health Needs Project and the Allentown Health Bureau’s initiatives, please visit www.allentownpa.gov/chna. An interactive Community Health Needs Portal will be available online later this summer.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Genesis Ortega
Communications Manager
Office of the Mayor
http://www.AllentownPA.gov

---