Community Health Needs Assessment Data and Community Recovery From COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact beyond physical morbidity and mortality. A mid-cycle Community Health Needs Assessment survey was administered in 1 community to generate data to evaluate change in community well-being since the beginning of the pandemic. METHODS: Surveys were mailed to 2,000 randomly selected residents in Olmsetd County, Minnesota. The surveys included the WHO Well-being Index (previously included in the 2018 Community Health Needs Assessment) and new subjective questions regarding behavior change. Changes in well-being were calculated using a propensity-matched cohort, and behavior change was reported as proportions of the whole. Data analysis was completed in 2021. RESULTS: Total survey respondents were 569 people in 2018 and 723 people in 2021. Well-being scores from the WHO Well-being Index showed a statistically significant decrease (score reduction of -8.44) from 2018 to 2021. All the 5 questions from the WHO Well-being Index also had an individual significant decrease; with the question regarding interest in life showing the greatest decrease. Individuals reported decreased subjective physical and mental well-being and increased substance use (alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco). Households also reported decreased household incomes and worse household finances since the start of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Using the Community Health Needs Assessment infrastructure, 1 community was able to compare prepandemic with postpandemic data, which showed decreased well-being and increased substance use and financial stress. Other public health planners can similarly conduct interval surveys on the basis of their Community Health Needs Assessment questionnaires to tailor ongoing Community Health Improvement Plan programming to postpandemic needs and track community mental health and well-being recovery.

Evaluating Well-being at Community Level.

OBJECTIVE: To measure well-being at a community level using a valid instrument. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Written surveys were mailed to a random sample of residents in Olmsted County, Minnesota, in 2015 and 2019 including the 5-item World Health Organization Well-being Index (0-100; for which 100 is the best imaginable well-being or quality of life). Multivariable hierarchical regression was used to evaluate the association between well-being and demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, and environmental factors. RESULTS: The survey was returned by 1232 of 4000 individuals (response rate, 30.80%). The average well-being score was 70.02. Impaired well-being was identified in 223/1187 individuals (18.79%). Adjusted regression models showed that impaired well-being was independently associated with household poverty, financial stress, reduced access to medical or mental health care, ever having depression diagnosed, living in an unsafe community, or being socially isolated. CONCLUSION: One in 5 people in a county in the US Midwest have impaired well-being. Well-being was associated with several modifiable factors. Data provide a rationale for policies that align transportation and housing and create opportunities for community members to connect and interact in a safe environment.