CaroMont Health Needs Assessment
A Closer Look
Every three years, the Gaston County Department of Health and Human Services, with support from CaroMont Health, Gaston Community Healthcare Commission, the United Way and other local partners, conducts the Community Health Needs Assessment to best understand community perceptions of local health issues. By combining important statistics with local opinion, the assessment becomes the baseline for community health improvements and action items for subsequent years.
Read the most recent assessment.
2021 Community Health Assessment
2021 Community Health Assessment Implementation Strategy
The report contains information about the overall health of Gaston County, and also aggregated responses from the community Quality of Life Survey. The Quality of Life Survey is provided to residents from four diverse groups including community leaders, community residents, high school students and persons living in low-income areas.
Important Takeaways from the 2021 Assessment
Based on 2016-2020 data from the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, the leading causes of death in Gaston County are:
- Heart Disease
- Cancer
- Respiratory Disease
- Alzheimer's
- Stroke
Additionally, the Quality of Life Survey identified the top local health issues as follows:
- Access to Healthcare
- Infant and Maternal Health
- Substance Abuse
Top Health Priorities for 2022-2024
Based on statistics and survey responses, CaroMont Health is focused on the following priorities:
- Increase access to care in the following service lines - behavioral health, cardiovascular, primary care, oncology and urgent care (providers and sites)
- Enhance strategies to reduce infant mortality
- Three additional CaroMont Women's Health sites of care (Belmont, Lake Wylie, Lincolnton)
- Collaborate with the Department of Health & Human Services
- Sleep sack distribution to all families with newborns (in collaboration with Women Optimizing Wellness)
- Enhance community collaboration and leadership to reduce substance abuse; other strategies include:
- Bridge therapy access expansion
- Hire additional social workers
- Enhance collaboration between family practice and behavioral providers
Previous Community Health Assessment Results
2018 Community Health Assessment | 2018 Implementation Strategy
2015 Community Health Assessment | 2015 Implementation Strategy
2012 Community Health Assessment | 2012 Implementation Strategy