MAPP2Health initiative seeks input from the community

A coalition of area health organizations and medical providers have begun taking another look at the ability of local residents to access care. 

“Assessing our community’s health is critical for understanding our community’s strengths and opportunities for improvement,” reads a description of the MAPP2Health program on the Virginia Department of Health’s website. 

The Blue Ridge Health District, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, and UVA Health are partnering to develop this latest community health assessment. 

“We want to understand the health and health priorities of residents in the Blue Ridge Health District,” reads a purpose statement in the application. “Your participation in this survey will help us to plan and advocate for programs and services in your community.” 

The MAPP2Health Community Health Assessment is expected to take a year and a half and begins with an anonymous survey available in both English and en español. The community engagement tool is open to anyone aged 18 and over in Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. 

The effort will also include a series of focus groups in October “to gather deeper insights from community members.” Applications are available in English and en español. 

A third level of community engagement is to ask for direct input from those in the health care field. 

“We want to hear from leaders, staff members, and officials from organizations, coalitions, agencies, and community groups working directly with the community,”  reads an email announcing the MAPP2Health input opportunities. 

Previous reports have been produced in 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2022. The 2022 report has a special focus on the “social determinants of health.” 

“The Social Determinants of Health are the underlying community-wide social and economic and physical conditions in which people are born, live, work, and age,” said Charlottesville Deputy City Manager for Social Ashley Marshall in a presentation to City Council back in June.

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