Over the next few weeks, residents in Decatur County will be given the opportunity to help local hospitals, public health departments and other health care providers assess the health status of the area.

According to Amy Shearer, Marketing and Communications Manager of Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH), a national research firm will be calling on approximately 200 individuals in the Decatur County area between January 1, 2019 and April 30, 2019.  Residents will be asked about their health habits and lifestyles.

The firm, Professional Research Consultants of Omaha, Nebraska, was hired by DCMH to conduct the Community Health Needs Assessment.  The project consists of gathering information about the health status of area residents, the result of which will be combined into a Community Report, due to be published in the last quarter of 2019.

Survey participants will be randomly selected and responses to the survey will be kept strictly confidential.  The complete telephone survey is approximately 20-25 minutes long, but according to DCMH not everyone will be asked every question.  There are some questions asked only of people in certain age groups and others asked only of people with specific medical conditions.

As the survey process begins, President and CEO Rex McKinney is hoping area residents will take an active role.  “We really want to encourage everyone to participate if they’re called.  This is the community’s opportunity to give us the information we need to address the needs that are most important to our area,” said McKinney.

For more information about the Community Health Needs Assessment project, residents may call DCMH Marketing at 812-663-1228.