Survey reveals striking health needs in Nassau County

More than half of Nassau County adults recently surveyed rated their personal health as “fair” or “poor,” according to data released May 13 by the Nassau County Department of Health.

“That’s staggering,” noted Cara Gluck, health officer for Nassau County.

The findings were generated by the Community Health Assessment Survey, which was comprised of responses from 5,065 adults. County officials attended 21 recent community events to poll residents on their health needs and opinions. The survey reflected broad diversity among age groups and geographical locations. The majority of responses, 41%, were from Fernandina Beach, with 19% from Yulee and 18% from Hilliard.

A previous county health survey failed to generate enough responses to be constructive. But the new survey data should provide county officials and health organizations with information to guide strategic planning.

Gluck called the response “a big deal,” noting, “I am excited about the interaction and feedback we were able to garner.”

The survey showed how deep — and, in some instances, desperate — some Nassau County residents feel about their health and future well-being. Among the findings:

• More than 50% rated their health as “fair” or “poor”
• Top health concerns are mental health, obesity and substance use
• Housing, income and transportation are the major barriers to health care
• 60% said it’s “hard” or “very hard” to find mental health services in the county
• 1 in 3 people reported delaying care due to cost or lack of provider

Gluck also noted that almost one-third of the survey respondents were obese, and that the county’s suicide rate was higher than the state average.

The suicide rate, she said, is “something to focus on. What can we do in the community to ensure that we have resources available for a person who is in crisis at that moment.”

As part of the assessment, county health department staff also held one-on-one interviews with key health leaders in the community, which revealed concerns about the community’s mental health and access to timely, quality health care. Among the interviewees, 92% said mental health is a major concern in the county, while 88% said substance use is a growing and urgent issue.

About two-thirds of those respondents said access to health care was an issue, particularly in western Nassau County.

The lack of mental health services and difficulty accessing those services was cited by both key stakeholders and the residents surveyed. Gluck said county emergency room department use for mental health concerns has risen 27% over the past three years.

“Are we bogging down the ER with individuals who could receive what they need from a primary care provider that they don’t have access to or that they don’t know they have?” Gluck said.

County health department officials say they hope the survey generates ongoing dialogue among stakeholders to address residents’ concerns. Solutions will need to come from public, private and faith-based organizations as well as community residents, she said. The underpinnings of community health lie in transportation functionality, housing, social connectivity, culture, the quality of health care and access to health care.

“How do we leverage our resources in a manner that moves us in the same direction?” Gluck said. “We really are trying to utilize our resources most effectively so that we can do the greatest good for the greatest number of individuals.”

Gluck noted that the county’s rapid growth has strained resources. While two emergency departments recently opened in Nassau County, many more health care providers will be needed in the coming years to meet demand.

“When you have doubling of your population, you have to have doubling of your providers,” she said.