Priority Health Needs

Community Health Needs Assessment Identifies Four Priorities for Calvert County

Cancer Care Heart Disease & Stroke Mental Health & Mental Disorders Exercise, Nutrition, & Weight

Every three years, CalvertHealth partners with the Calvert County Health Department and community organizations to assess the health needs of local residents and identify opportunities to improve community well-being.

The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) brings together resident feedback, public health data and insights from healthcare providers, community partners and local leaders. While required for Maryland hospitals, the assessment serves a greater purpose: guiding local healthcare priorities and informing meaningful, measurable action over the next three years.

The latest assessment identified four priority areas for Calvert County:

• Chronic disease
• Access to care
• Mental health and substance use
• Cancer

These priorities will guide the work of the Calvert County Community Health Improvement Roundtable (CHIR), a collaborative group of healthcare providers and community partners. Together, participants will develop a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) focused on addressing these needs through community-driven initiatives.

Turning Community Feedback Into Action

The CHNA combines community survey responses with public health data, healthcare utilization trends, focus groups and input from strategic partners throughout Calvert County. An independent third party facilitates the process to help ensure recommendations reflect objective data and a broad range of community perspectives.

Resident participation is essential to understanding the challenges affecting local health and well-being. Feedback helps identify gaps in services, highlight emerging concerns and guide decisions about where organizations can make the greatest impact.

The assessment considers a wide range of needs, from chronic disease prevention and access to healthcare to youth health, behavioral health and other factors that influence quality of life. Its findings provide a foundation for setting priorities and developing strategies to improve health outcomes across the county.
 

Four Priorities for a Healthier Calvert County

1. Chronic Disease
   Chronic disease was identified as a major community health priority, with concerns including obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and preventable complications. According to the Maryland Department of Health, nearly one-third of adults in Calvert County report having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, while diabetes rates continue to rise among older adults.
2. Access to Care
   Access to healthcare remains a significant challenge, particularly for older adults, rural residents and underserved populations. Long wait times, provider shortages, transportation barriers and limited specialty care can delay treatment and contribute to avoidable emergency department visits.
3. Mental Health and Substance Use
   Mental health and substance use continue to affect residents across all age groups. The assessment highlighted gaps in available behavioral health services, unmet mental health needs and ongoing substance use challenges, with particular concerns for youth, young adults and older adults..
4. Cancer
   Cancer remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in Calvert County, according to the Maryland Department of Health. The assessment identified opportunities to improve early detection, particularly for breast, prostate, colorectal and cervical cancers, while strengthening care coordination and patient navigation.
    

Improving Community Health Through Partnership

Improving community health requires collaboration across healthcare organizations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and other community partners. No single organization can address these complex needs alone. By combining expertise, resources and community connections, local partners can expand access to education, prevention, treatment and support.

Existing initiatives, including Highway to Health, Destination Wellness and community cholesterol, diabetes and blood pressure screenings, demonstrate the value of this collaborative approach. These programs help connect residents with health information, preventive services and resources that support healthier lives.
 

Looking Ahead: From Assessment to Improvement

The publication of the CHNA marks the beginning of the next phase of work. Through the Community Health Improvement Roundtable, CalvertHealth, the Calvert County Health Department and community partners will use the findings to develop a Community Health Improvement Plan with measurable goals and actionable strategies.

Over the next three years, these efforts will focus on addressing the county’s identified health priorities, strengthening community partnerships and improving health outcomes for residents.

By listening to the community and working together, local organizations can help build a healthier Calvert County and improve opportunities for every resident to access the care, resources and support they need.