The Kane County Health Department (KCHD), in partnership with the Kane Health Counts collaborative, is proud to announce the release of the 2024 Community Health Assessment (CHA). This comprehensive report provides a data-informed, community-driven snapshot of the health and well-being of Kane County residents, highlighting the most pressing health needs and priorities facing the region.
The Kane Health Counts collaborative is comprised of five hospitals, Prime Healthcare (formerly Ascension) Mercy Medical Center, Prime Healthcare St. Joseph Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, Rush Copley Medical Center, and Advocate Health Sherman, along with the INC Mental Health Alliance and a number of community partners.
The 2024 CHA identifies four key focus areas that will serve as the foundation for health improvement efforts across the county:
•Access to Care: Ensuring that everyone in Kane County can access timely, affordable, and culturally competent health services is a critical priority. The CHA identifies barriers to care and recommends strategies to improve health service delivery across the county. Respondents indicated that lack of time was the top reason for missing or postponing medical appointments.
•Behavioral Health: Mental health and substance use concerns remain top priorities for residents and providers alike. The CHA underscores the growing need for behavioral health services and the importance of building a robust, accessible system of care and reducing stigma surrounding mental health and addiction. The most significant barrier preventing respondents from accessing mental health treatment was cost, with 38.2% citing financial constraints as the primary reason for not seeking care.
•Housing: Safe, stable, and affordable housing is essential to good health. The CHA explores housing challenges that affect families and individuals across Kane County and outlines opportunities to improve housing access and stability. Barriers to stable housing, gaps in shelter capacity, and the need for stronger community partnerships were discovered as key concerns in the community context assessment on housing and homelessness.
•Food Security: Reliable access to nutritious food remains a concern for many. The CHA highlights the impact of food insecurity on health and identifies gaps in services and access, particularly in underserved neighborhoods. Cost was the most significant challenge, with 54.3% of respondents stating that fresh produce was too expensive.
To read the full 2024 Community Health Assessment and learn more about Kane Health Counts, visit: www.kanehealth.com/Pages/CHA.aspx
—Kane County Government