In Huntington, WV, the Cabell-Huntington Health Department recently approved a new initiative called the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). This plan was developed in collaboration with various community stakeholders and partners who provided input on strategies to improve the overall health of the community. Dr. Michael Kilkenny, the Chief Executive Officer, stated that the goal of the plan is to achieve better health outcomes for the community through specific objectives.
The health department identified four major objectives to focus on in the next five years of the plan. These objectives include improving community resilience around substance abuse and mental health, promoting equitable life expectancy, and creating a healthy built environment. Researchers analyzed each objective to determine what improvements are needed and what resources are already available for implementation.
To ensure that the plan is effective and responsive to changing needs, interval evaluations have been included in the plan. Dr. Kilkenny emphasized the importance of ongoing evaluation with the help of community partners. He stated that this will help to identify any issues or challenges that arise during implementation and make necessary adjustments accordingly. The complete Community Health Improvement Plan can be viewed on the department’s website. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the overall health and well-being of
