Access to many different health-related services was a prominent and recurring theme during completion of the Community Health Assessment, specifically throughout the Community Themes and Strengths Assessment (CTSA) and the Forces of Change Assessment (FoCA). Increased access to affordable healthy food, access to housing, access to healthcare, and access to more jobs were selected as priority areas that would increase the quality of life for residents, as well as improve overall health for Macomb County. Utilizing results obtained from the CTSA team and completed surveys and data from the CHA, Access to Services was summarized as a central theme with a focus on increasing knowledge and utilization of services that are already available in Macomb County. Unique strategies must be developed and executed in order to capitalize on the community’s strengths and to develop the areas where Access to Services can be improved. With the future of the Affordable Care Act uncertain, now more than ever, residents need education on health insurance and services accessible to them.

While Macomb County exceeds the benchmark in insured population as well as in the category of usual care provider selected, the county will continue to monitor these particular benchmarks and focus will remain on increasing knowledge of accessible resources and services.