County Health Assessments reveal common needs. -STOCK PHOTO
Collier County and Lee County each had a community health checkup, and the results tell a story of how the communities differ and what they share in common.
Collier County’s assessment, conducted by four leading health organizations, summarized the 10 priorities, eight main health concerns and eight needs to be met to improve health.
“The Community Health Assessment reflects the power of collaboration,” said Kimberly Kossler, administrator and health officer of the Florida Department of Health in Collier County. “By bringing together healthcare providers, public health professionals and the voices of our community, we are not only identifying the most pressing health challenges, we are creating a shared vision and roadmap for a healthier future for everyone in Collier County.”
Collier County’s Top 10 leading priorities, according to the respondents in the assessment, include:
Access to care
Chronic disease
Alcohol & drug use
Health of older adults
Dental health
Mental health
Communicable diseases
Disabilities
Obesity
Unintentional injury.
Collier County’s top 8 health concerns are:
Access to specialty care
Access to primary care
Aging problems
Not enough doctors
Mental health conditions
Dental problems
Women’s health issues
Senior care.
The top health needs tell a story told in many areas of life in Collier County—housing is a primary need yet to be met appropriately for many people.
Collier County’s top 8 health needs are:
Affordable housing
More doctors
Financial assistance for healthcare
Additional health services
Mental/behavioral health services
Wellness programs
Job opportunities
Health education
Peggy Brown, director of planning, Health Planning Council of SWFL. -COURTESY PHOTO
In addition to the Florida Department of Health of Collier County, three other leading health organizations partnered to release the Collier County Community Health Assessment (CHA), which is a comprehensive study of local health needs and priorities that will serve as the foundation for future community health planning.
For the first time, Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH), Florida Department of Health in Collier County, and Healthcare Network came together as a steering committee to guide the assessment with the Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, who coordinated the effort. The group met monthly throughout the project to coordinate planning, creation, and implementation.
Each of the organizations offer differing strengths in their roles in the assessment and in the community overall.
NCH (Naples Comprehensive Health) is a locally governed non-profit with two main hospitals, referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital, with a total of 713 beds. NCH is also an alliance of more than 750 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida.
The Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, Inc. (HPC) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves.
Founded in 1977, Healthcare Network is a nonprofit organization committed to providing accessible, comprehensive health care to everyone in Collier County, regardless of income or insurance.
“The Community Health Assessment is a powerful reminder that health is not shaped by one organization alone, but by the collective effort of many,” said Jamie Ulmer, President & CEO of Healthcare Network. “By listening to the voices of our community and working side by side with our partners, we can better understand the barriers our neighbors face and take meaningful steps toward ensuring everyone in Collier County has access to the care and resources they need to live healthier lives.”
Healthcare Network has grown from two small trailers in Immokalee to a network of providers located throughout Collier County. Primary health care services include family care, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, senior care, dental care and pharmacy, and integrated and traditional behavioral health for adults and children. Additionally, the organization’s community health workers bring health and social services directly to underserved families. For more information, visit HealthcareSWFL.org, or to schedule an appointment, please call 239-658-3000.
Brian Hemmert, CEO of Health Planning Council of SWFL. -COURTESY PHOTO
The recently published Assessment draws on a wide range of data sources, including demographic, socioeconomic, and health status indicators. It also incorporates feedback from the community through surveys, questionnaires, focus groups and interviews with community leaders. This year’s assessment breaks out survey responses by geographic region, offering unique insights into the diverse communities of Collier County.
“This collaboration represents a valuable tool for the community. By working together, we combined expertise and community input to present a clear picture of Collier County’s health landscape,” said Brian Hemmert, CEO of Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida. “Our hope is that this data empowers decision-makers, healthcare providers, and community partners to address health priorities where they are needed most.”
The information gathered through the CHA will inform the next phase: the Community Health Improvement Plan, a strategic process to identify targeted interventions and policy changes that can have the greatest impact.
For decades, NCH has published a Community Benefit Statement highlighting the uncompensated value of services provided to the community. In 2024 alone, NCH’s total community benefit to the region was valued at nearly $70 million, which reflects the uncollectable charges of providing $225 million in charity care and other uncompensated services, such as free health screenings, seminars, and wellness education. The CHA extends that commitment by combining the efforts of multiple agencies, offering the community a fuller picture of the resources and investments being made to support health across Collier County.
“At NCH, we are proud to lead and support this vital initiative,” said Paul Hiltz, President & CEO of NCH. “This partnership demonstrates how local organizations are investing in the health and well-being of our community. The Community Health Assessment not only highlights these impactful efforts, but it also reinforces the power of collaboration in driving meaningful, lasting change in our community.”
Paul Hiltz, CEO of NCH. -COURTESY PHOTO
The full Collier County Community Health Assessment (CHA) is available online at: hpcswf.com/programs/health-planning/collier-county-community-health-needs-assessment.
Lee County’s Health Assessment results
In Lee County, the priorities, concerns and needs to be met have commonalities with nearby Collier County but also have some distinctions reflecting the community difference.
Lee County’s ranking of health priorities by respondents includes:
Access to care
Chronic disease
Mental health
Alcohol and drug use
Health of older adults
Disabilities
Dental health
Obesity
Communicable disease
Unintentional injuries
Lee County’s top health concerns include:
Access to specialty care
Access to primary care
Mental health conditions
Not enough doctors
Aging problems
Women’s health issues
Mental well-being
Dental problems
Poor nutrition/quality food
Obesity
Lee’s top health needs are:
Affordable housing
Financial assistance for healthcare
Mental/behavioral health services
More doctors
Wellness programs
Healthier food choices
Health education
Additional health services
Transportation
After-school/out-of-school programs
Both counties’ assessments were prepared by the Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, Inc. Visit Hpcswf.com for more information, including in-depth aspects of the studies and results.