1. www.HealthyMercer.org

2. What is the Greater Mercer Public Health Partnership? In 2012 four area hospitals, seven health departments, and Mercer County Human Services joined together to form a coalition - the GMPHP. The mission of the GMPHP coalition is to measurably improve the health of Mercer County residents

3. GMPHP Core Members Capital Health Medical Center- Hopewell Robert Wood Johnson Hospital – Hamilton St Francis Medical Center St Lawrence Rehabilitation Center Mercer County Human Services Municipal and County Health Departments

4. How did GMPHP learn what Mercer County residents need? In 2012 health professionals conducted focus group community meetings to survey and get feedback from residents The data collected showed four priority areas: 1.Mental Health and Substance Abuse 2.Healthy Living and Eating 3.Chronic Disease 4.Transportation

5. What plans evolved from the study in 2012? The GMPHP formed a community advisory board made up of volunteers from health professions, nonprofits, private citizens, businesses, etc. to address the four priority group needs. The most common theme in all four groups was a desire to improve the information about available health programs and services in Mercer County.

6. www.HealthyMercer.org is born… GMPHP funded and launched the website healthymercer.org in August 2015 Area hospitals, nonprofits, and agencies submit their program flyers, events, and services information.

7. Community Health Needs Assessment 2015 GMPHP planned and executed a health survey in September 2015 1,927 Mercer County residents completed the health survey.

8. What did the health survey 2015 reveal? The survey revealed that the goals remain in the same 4 priority areas. There is a : 1) High priority to increase mental health screening and counseling for youth. 2) High priority for school-based programs that promote physical activity and healthy eating.

9. Survey results continued: 3) High priority to promote programs to prevent chronic disease. 4) High priority to access affordable public transportation

10. What is a Community Health Improvement Plan? GMPHP reached out to health professionals, volunteers, nonprofits, higher education, and businesses to form a Community Advisory Board. There are currently 120 volunteer members.

11. What are examples of proposed action plans?

12. Continued… School nurses will work with a Rider professor to research physical activity in schools.

13. Continued… Increase distribution of information about mental health services to clinics, hospitals, senior centers, etc. Reach out to faith-based organizations to promote healthy living and manage chronic disease through walking, hiking, biking, trail access.

14. Continued… Identify evidenced-based programs that help self-management of chronic conditions, and then promote the programs Organize seminars at churches, senior centers, and public events that help promote available transportation options and services for seniors and handicapped.

15. What can I do? Consider being a Community Advisory Board member or volunteering with the GMPHP If interested contact Carol Nicholas at gmphp.nj@gmail.com gmphp.nj@gmail.com

16. You don’t catch health…. You have to make it happen GMPHP is here to help you make it happen! www.healthymercer.org