OGDENSBURG -- The Bridges to Wellness Coalition have established a plan they say will “improve community health in St. Lawrence County.”

Over the past year, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center has worked in conjunction with the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department, St. Lawrence County Community Health Improvement Coalition, Bridges to Wellness, and Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization to provide a current community needs assessment and community health improvement plan for St. Lawrence County and the Tug Hill Seaway Region.

The coalition will disseminate regular reports to the community through online media, print publications, radio, and in-person education. The partners will oversee and govern the evaluation of the plan on a monthly basis.

As required by the New York State Department of Health’s Prevention Agenda, hospitals and public health departments are required to conduct a community needs assessment and community health improvement plan every three years. They are also required to collaborate with the community to address needs identified in the assessment.

The Bridges to Wellness Coalition consists of 26 participating organizations including public health, higher education, hospitals, federally qualified health centers, human services, and community-based organizations.

The regional needs assessment that was conducted provided data that they say drives the 2016-2018 health improvement plan.

“Based on the assessment results, and the capacity of the region and coalition partners, the priorities identified to address in the plan are to prevent chronic disease and promote mental health and prevent substance abuse. The plan is streamlined and identifies opportunities to improve the health of targeted residents,” coalition officials said in a prepared statement. “The coalition chose evidence-based interventions and activities that include environmental, systems and policy change. As with any community intervention, it is important that there is involvement and ongoing education for the residents.”

To view the Community Needs Assessment and 2016-2018 Community Health Improvement Plan, visit www.claxtonhepburn.org and click on “About Us” to find the tab to the plan or contact Claxton-Hepburn’s community relations department at 713-5251.