SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Springfield residents are being asked, by both Springfield Hospitals, to take part in a Community Health Needs Assessment, required to be conducted. Galia Cossyleon, from Memorial Health was a guest on the WTAX Morning Newswatch to discuss the survey and how’s it important.

“Memorial Hospital is required to do a community health assessment every three years, and part of that assessment, we do a community health survey. 
And the goal is for us to learn what the community needs so that the hospital can choose health priorities to focus on. For example, our last cycle, the community told us that they really needed for us to work on their mental health, and as well as substance use, and homelessness.”

Cossyleon went on to discuss the important topics the community wants to see worked on and help with.

“What is killing people at a younger age? What is killing people? 
in a disproportionate way, what’s affecting minorities more than others? So, yes, still to mental health, and probably with a little bit more focus on suicide or overdose or you name it.”