Feb. 29, 2024

New assessments shed light on local healthcare challenges and opportunities for improvement

Information gathered in recent assessments will support efforts to ensure Kitsap County residents have access to quality and affordable services.

KITSAP COUNTY, WA — All Kitsap County residents deserve affordable, high-quality healthcare.

Information gathered in recent community assessments supported by Kitsap Public Health District will help guide efforts to ensure needed services are available and accessible. 

These assessments include a study conducted by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security that examines Kitsap healthcare systems and provides specific recommendations for improving access to care. Members of the Johns Hopkins team will present their report to the Kitsap Public Health Board at a meeting on March 5. 

The new study adds to a wealth of health-related information assembled by Kitsap organizations over the past year, including: 

• A comprehensive Community Health Assessment published by Kitsap Public Health District. 
• A Community Health Needs Assessment & Implementation Plan published by St. Michael Medical Center
• A Community Needs Assessment published by Kitsap Community Resources
• A Community Needs Assessment published by Kitsap Mental Health Services
• A 2024-2027 Area Plan published by the Kitsap County Division of Aging and Longterm Care

Links to these resources are available on a new Health District webpage, which will also be updated with information about healthcare improvement initiatives. 

Responding to a healthcare crisis

Information gathered from community assessments will help Kitsap Public Health and partner organizations understand and respond to an ongoing healthcare crisis. 

Data and community input indicate Kitsap is underserved across a wide range of healthcare fields, including primary, obstetric, pediatric, emergency, specialty, mental and behavioral health. Inadequate healthcare access has contributed to negative and inequitable health outcomes. 

In July of 2023 the Health Board adopted a resolution declaring high healthcare costs and insufficient access to healthcare services public health crises. A 2024 Kitsap Community Health Priorities (KCHP) Process led by Kitsap Public Health identified healthcare access as a top priority to address over the next five years. Participating organizations will meet this spring to develop specific strategies to improve healthcare access. 

Kitsap Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Gib Morrow noted that many initiatives are already underway to bolster Kitsap's healthcare workforce and expand access to care. 

"From expanded professional training programs, to innovative workforce housing projects, and new behavioral health services, we are already seeing tremendous momentum to strengthen healthcare systems in our county," Dr. Morrow said. "We are grateful to all the organizations that are working together to address these complex issues." 

EXPLORE LOCAL HEALTH DATA Visit our library of interactive indicator dashboards to learn about local trends in health and healthcare.  Go to kitsappublichealth.org/data

CONTACT:

Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District
360-728-2330 office  |  (360) 728-2235 - main
pio@kitsappublichealth.org   |  kitsappublichealth.org