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

Through collaboration between Pitt County Health Department, ECU Health Medical Center, and Pitt Partners for Health, the 2024 CHNA process aims to improve the population health of Pitt County through coalition building and partnership, addressing health disparities, and enhancing the quality of life through comprehensive, evidence-based strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, prevent disease, and ensure access to healthcare services.

Pitt County CHNA Leadership

Pitt County adopted a multi-sectoral approach to the leadership of the 2024 CHNA process, which included representatives from Pitt County Health Department, ECU Health Medical Center, and Pitt Partners for Health.

The 2024 CHNA process for Pitt County included a variety of different stakeholders who assisted with community engagement activities, provided feedback, and participated in the prioritization process. A summary of the partner organizations who participated in the process is below.

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

Pitt County CHNA Timeline and Process

The Health ENC 2024 process formally kicked off with a collaborative meeting of all participating counties on February 8th, 2024. It concluded with the delivery of final CHNA reports to all 34 counties on December 20th, 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. Top needs identified through secondary data included physical and behavioral health concerns, food insecurity, poverty, and limited access to transportation.

Primary (new) data was collected through focus groups and a web-based survey, gathering feedback from 582 people who live, work or receive healthcare in Pitt County. Primary data identified behavioral health (mental health), healthcare access and quality, and physical health and food access/security as top needs.

Pitt County representatives worked together to identify the priorities the county should focus on over the following three-year period, evaluating data based on scope, severity, ability to impact, health disparities, and community importance. The three priority health needs selected (in alphabetical order) are:

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

Following completion of this report, health leaders throughout Pitt County will use its 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. 

To view the full report click the following link: https://schs.dph.ncdhhs.gov/units/ldas/cha2024/PITT-2024-CHA.pdf.