A Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) helps health leaders evaluate the health and wellness of the community they serve and identify gaps and challenges that should be addressed through new programs, services and policy changes. This report was created in compliance with North Carolina Local Health Department Accreditation standards, as well as Internal Revenue Service requirements for not-for-profit hospitals.

Vision Statement

It is the vision of Craven County CHNA Leadership and Stakeholders, “To create a thriving, equitable community where all residents have access to quality healthcare and enjoy optimal health, by identifying and addressing critical health needs through comprehensive assessment and collaborative action”.

CHA Leadership

Craven County opted for a bi-sectoral approach to the leadership of the 2024 CHNA process, which included representatives from Craven County Health Department and CarolinaEast Health System.

Partnerships/Collaborations

The 2024 CHNA process for Craven County included a variety of different stakeholders who assisted with community engagement activities, provided feedback, and participated in the prioritization process.

The Health ENC Steering Committee and Johnston County CHNA Leadership contracted with Ascendient Healthcare Advisors to coordinate the regional CHNA process, including primary and secondary data analysis, relevant trainings for county partners and development of the contents of this report.

Craven County CHNA Timeline and Process

The Health ENC 2024 process formally kicked off with a collaborative meeting of all participating counties on February 8^th, 2024. It concluded with the delivery of final CHNA reports to all 34 counties on December 20^th, 2024. A summary of key process milestones is shown below.

Secondary (existing) data came from various public sources related to demographics, social determinants of health, environmental health, disease trends, behavioral health trends, and individual health behaviors. Data was evaluated using the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's population health framework and compared to state or national benchmarks to identify areas of concern. Secondary data analysis revealed several health challenges in Craven County, including higher rates of chronic diseases, a significant behavioral health burden, and social determinants impacting health outcomes. The county experiences higher rates of deaths of despair (91.6 per 100,000) compared to state (58.7) and national (55.9) averages, and the opioid overdose death rate (48.0 per 100,000) significantly exceeds the state average (25.1).

Primary data from nearly 600 community survey responses and three focus groups identified mental health (depression/anxiety) and substance use as the most pressing health concerns, with 55% and 49% of survey respondents identifying these issues respectively. Cost (84%), lack of insurance (60%), and long wait times (44%) were identified as the top barriers to healthcare access. Transportation challenges and the availability of healthcare providers were also highlighted as significant concerns.

Representatives from Craven County worked together to identify the priorities the county should focus on over the following three-year period. Leaders evaluated the primary and secondary data collected throughout the process to identify needs based on the size and scope, severity, the ability for hospitals or health departments to make an impact, associated health disparities, and importance to the community. Although it was not possible for every single area of potential need to be identified as a priority, Craven County selected three top priority health needs (Access to Care, Behavioral Health, and Community Wellness and Education), which are shown here in alphabetical order.

Craven County also compiled a Health Resources Inventory, which describes a variety of resources available to help Craven County residents meet their health and social needs.

Following completion of this report, health leaders throughout Craven County will use the findings to collaborate with community organizations and local residents to develop effective health strategies, new implementation plans and interventions, and action plans to improve the communities they serve.

Health Priorities Identified for 2025-2027

Access to Care

Behavioral Health

Community Wellness and Education