Paper copies of this document may be obtained at: Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
900 West Kingshighway., Paragould, AR 72450 or by phone 870.239.7000 or via the hospital website. www.myammc.org
2023-2026
Community Health Needs Assessment
Greene County, AR
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Table of Contents
Perspective / Overview ........................................................................... 4
About Arkansas Methodist Medical Center ................................................................................ 4
Creating a Culture of Health in the Community ......................................................................... 5
2023 Community Health Needs Assessment .............................................................................. 5
Collaborators ........................................................................................................................... 5
Making the CHNA Widely Available to the Public .................................................................. 6
Board Approval ....................................................................................................................... 6
Key Findings ........................................................................................ 6
Most Significant Health Priorities ............................................................................................... 6
Community Input and Collaboration ............................................................ 6
Methods and Dates ..................................................................................................................... 6
Participants by Those Representing the Broad Interests of the Community ............................. 7
Participants ............................................................................................................................. 7
Input of the Medically Underserved, Low-Income, and Minority Populations ...................... 7
Input of Those with Expertise in Public Health ....................................................................... 7
Input on the Most Recently Conducted CHNA and Most Recently Adopted Implementation
Strategy ................................................................................................................................... 8
Process and Methods Used ........................................................................ 8
Community Selected for Assessment ......................................................................................... 8
Medical Center Study Area – 2023 ......................................................................................... 8
Data and Other Information Used in the Assessment ................................................................ 9
Information Gaps .................................................................................................................... 9
Description of the Communities Served ...................................................... 10
Demographics and Economic Indicators .................................................................................. 11
Economic Indicators .............................................................................................................. 15
Psychographics – Tapestry Segmentation ................................................................................ 17
Interviews Summary ............................................................................. 18
Health Status Data, Rankings, and Comparisons ............................................ 19
Health Status Data .................................................................................................................... 20
Rankings and Comparisons of Health Status ............................................................................ 22
Health Outcomes (Length of Life and Qualify of Life) .......................................................... 22
Length of Life ........................................................................................................................ 22
Quality of Life ........................................................................................................................ 24
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Health Factors or Determinants ............................................................................................... 25
Health Behaviors ................................................................................................................... 25
Clinical Care ........................................................................................................................... 27
Social and Economic Factors ................................................................................................. 29
Physical Environment ............................................................................................................ 31
Summary of Most Significant Health Needs from all Sources ................................... 32
Results of the CHNA: Prioritized Health Needs .............................................. 33
Prioritization Criteria ................................................................................................................. 34
Most Significant Community Health Needs .............................................................................. 34
Community Health Summit Brainstorming ................................................... 35
Impact of 2020 CHNA and Implementation Plan ............................................ 37
Appendices ........................................................................................ 38
Interview Results ....................................................................................................................... 39
Community Asset Inventory ..................................................................................................... 52
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Perspective / Overview
About Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
Our medical center continues to grow and our staff of dedicated professionals continue to fulfill our
mission statement of providing the highest quality healthcare and promoting wellness to the people and
communities we serve- thus establishing AMMC as the first choice for healthcare.
Mission Statement
AMMC is a Beacon of Health, Hope and Healing.
Vision Statement
Through dedication, we will provide quality healthcare and promote wellness to the communities we
serve….thus establish AMMC as your first choice for healthcare.
Source: Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
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Creating a Culture of Health in the Community
Action Cycle Source: the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings website:
http://www.Countyhealthrankings.org/roadmaps/action-center
The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) uses systematic, comprehensive data collection and
analysis to define priorities for health improvement, creates a collaborative community environment to
engage stakeholders, and an open and transparent process to listen and truly understand the health needs
of Greene County, Arkansas.
The Action Cycle shows how to create healthy communities. The rankings later in the document assist in
understanding what makes a healthy community.
2023 Community Health Needs Assessment
Collaborators
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, Inc., as the sponsor of the assessment, engaged national leaders in
community health needs assessments to assist in the project. Stratasan, a healthcare analytics and services
company based out of Nashville, Tennessee, provided the analysis of community health data and
facilitated the interviews.
This is a single facility CHNA for Arkansas Methodist Medical Center. EIN: 71-0230218.
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Making the CHNA Widely Available to the Public
Starting on July 1, 2023, this report is made widely available to the community via Arkansas Methodist
Medical Center website https://www.myammc.org and paper copies are available free of charge at
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, 900 West Kingshighway, Paragould, AR 72450 or by phone (870)
239-7000.
Board Approval
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center’s board of directors approved this assessment on June 27, 2023.
Key Findings
Most Significant Health Priorities
Based on the Health Department priorities, secondary data, and community interviews, the community
selected the following significant health needs with the number of votes received by the issue. There is a
complete summary of findings with prioritization criteria later in the document.
• Chronic diseases – heart disease and diabetes -18
• Mental health- suicide - 16
• Substance use, including tobacco - 13
• Healthy weight – healthy eating/active living – 13
• Socioeconomics – poverty, living wage jobs – 8
• Access to care, including cost – 5
• Social determinants of health – housing – 4
• Health education – 2
• Formal education – high school, college – 2
• Parenting skills – 1
• Teen pregnancy – 1
• Neglect and abuse - 1
Community Input and Collaboration
Methods and Dates
In February 2023, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center began a Community Health Needs Assessment for
Greene County and sought input from persons who represent the broad interests of the community using
several methods:
• Information gathering, using secondary public health sources, occurred in March 2023.
• Community members participated in interviews for their perspectives on community health needs
and issues on March 14 and 15, 2023.
• A community health summit was held on April 18, 2023, to create a common database of
understanding of health needs, prioritize the most significant health needs and to brainstorm ways
to improve the community’s health.
The audience consisted of healthcare providers, business
leaders, government representatives, schools, not-for-profit organizations, employers, and other
community members.
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Participants by Those Representing the Broad Interests of the Community
Forty-three individuals from twenty-three community organizations participated in the interviews and the
summit. The interviews were aimed at identifying and defining significant health needs, issues, and
concerns of Greene County. Additionally, a community health summit was held to create a common
understanding of health needs, and the community prioritized the health needs of the community. The
three-month process centered on gathering and analyzing data, as well as receiving input from persons
who represented the broad interests of the community, to provide direction for the community and
hospital to create a plan to improve the health of the communities.
Participants
Organization
Population Represented (kids, low income,
minorities, those w/o access)
100 Families
Low income
AMMC
All
AMMC Board
All
AMMC/CHFC
All
AMMC-LifePoint Rehab
All, elderly
Attorney
All
Black River Technical College
All
City of Paragould
All
Downtown Paragould Association
All
Greene Co Office of Emergency Mgt
All
Greene County
All
Greene County Health Department
All
Mayor of Paragould
All
MFA Incorporated
All
Mission Outreach Homeless Shelter
Unhoused population
MOR Media
All
Paragould Chamber of Commerce
All
Paragould Police Department
All
Paragould School District
Children, Youth
Paragould Senior Bees
Seniors
Physician
All
Input of the Medically Underserved, Low-Income, and Minority Populations
Input of medically underserved, low-income and minority populations was received though interviews.
Agencies representing these population groups were intentionally invited to the interviews and the
community health summit.
Input of Those with Expertise in Public Health
The Greene County Health Department participated in the interviews and health summit and in selection
of the most significant health priorities.
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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Input on the Most Recently Conducted CHNA and Most Recently Adopted
Implementation Strategy
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center did not receive any written comments on its most recent CHNA or
implementation plan.
Process and Methods Used
Community Selected for Assessment
Greene County was the primary focus of the CHNA due to the service area of Arkansas Methodist
Medical Center. The community includes medically underserved, low-income, and minority populations
who live in the geographic areas from which Arkansas Methodist Medical Center draws their patients.
All patients were used to determine the service area without regard to insurance coverage or eligibility for
financial assistance under Arkansas Methodist Medical Center’s Financial Assistance Policy.
Medical Center Study Area – 2023
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Data and Other Information Used in the Assessment
Primary methods included:
• Interviews with community members for their perspectives on community health
• Community health summit for prioritization and brainstorming
Secondary methods included:
• Public health data – death statistics, County Health Rankings, cancer incidence
• Demographics and socioeconomics – population, poverty, uninsured, unemployment
• Psychographics – behavior measured by spending and media preferences
Information Gaps
While this assessment was quite comprehensive, it cannot measure all possible aspects of health in the
community, nor can it adequately represent all possible populations of interest. It must be recognized that
these information gaps might in some ways limit the ability to assess all the community’s health needs.
Photo Source: Discover Paragould
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org - 10 -
Paper copies of this document may be obtained at: Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
ADDRESS, CITY, ST ZIP or by phone 123.456.7891 or via the hospital website. www.WEBSITE.org
Photo source: Discover Paragould
Description of the Communities Served
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Demographics and Economic Indicators
The table below shows the demographic summary of Greene County compared to AR and the U.S.
Source: Esri; Sterling’s Best Places (2021)
*The Health Care Index is household-based, and represents the amount spent out of pocket for medical services and insurance
relative to a national index of 100.
The median is the value at the midpoint of a frequency. There is an equal probability of falling above or below the median.
Race and Ethnicity
Source: Esri
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Source: Esri
• The population of Greene County is projected to increase from 2022 to 2027 (0.43% per year).
Arkansas is projected to increase 0.27% per year. The U.S. is projected to increase 0.25% per
year.
• The 65+ population will comprise a larger percentage of total population by 2027.
• Greene County had a higher median age (40.5 median age) than AR (39) and the U.S. (38.9). In
Greene County the percentage of the population 65 and over was 18.8%, higher than the U.S.
population 65 and over at 17.5%.
• Greene County median household income at $51,645 was lower than AR ($52,717) and the U.S.
($72,414). The rate of poverty in Greene County was 12.9% which was lower than AR (16%) and
slightly higher than the U.S. (12.8%).
• The household income distribution of Greene County was 18% higher income (over $100,000),
60% middle income, and 22% lower income (under $25,000). The largest income group is the
18% making $50,000 to $74,999.
• The health care index measures how much the populations spent out-of-pocket on health care
services including insurance premiums. The U.S. index was 100. Greene County was 76,
indicating 24% less spent out of pocket than the average U.S. household on medical care
(doctor’s office visits, prescriptions, hospital visits) and insurance premiums.
• The cost of living in Greene County was 26% less than the U.S. and 4% less expensive than AR.
• The racial and ethnic make-up of Greene County was 89% White, 2% Black, 4% Hispanic origin,
6% more than one race, and 2% other. (These percentages total to over 100% because Hispanic is
an ethnicity, not a race.)
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2022 Population by Census Tract and Projected Change (2022-2027)
Source: Esri
Red is population decline
Yellow is positive up to the AR growth rate
Green is greater than the AR growth rate
Dark green is twice the AR growth rate
Census tracts generally have a population size between 1,200 and 8,000 people, with an optimum size of
4,000 people. The higher populated census tracts are smaller geographically and the less populated census
tracts are larger in geography. The highest populated census tracts are in Paragould, primarily southwest.
The majority of Greene County has growth ranging from .5% - 1.1%. However, some tracts project
population decline, east Paragould.
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2022 Median Age, Income, and Households Making Less Than $15,000 per Year
The top two maps depict median age and
median income by census tract. Looking at age
and income by census tract is helpful to
demonstrate all areas of a county are not the
same. The health needs may be very different in
the census tract in southwestern Paragould with
a higher median age of 46 than the tract in
eastern Paragould with a median age of 33.8.
Looking at median household income by census
tract also gives insight into health status. The
lower income areas may require more resources
than the higher income tracts. The southern and
western census tracts with a higher median
household income of $51,000 to $73,000 will
probably have different needs than that of the
tract in the eastern Paragould making $28,000
per year.
The lower map is the number of households making less than $15,000 per year. Again, further attempting
to identify those areas within the county that may have a lower health status. The census tract located in
eastern Paragould shows 293 households making less than $15,000 per year.
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Economic Indicators
Percent in Poverty 2021
Greene County’s 2021 poverty percentage was 12.9% compared to AR at 16.0% and the U.S. at 12.8%.
The cost of living in Greene County was 4.3% lower than AR and 27% lower than the U.S.
Business Profile
68.7% percent of employees in Greene County were employed in:
2. Manufacturing (32%)
3. Retail Trade (12%)
4. Health Care & Social Assistance (12%)
5. Educational Services (7%)
6. Accommodation & Food Services (6%)
Source: Esri
Retail, accommodation, and food service offer health insurance at a lower rate than healthcare, public
administration, and educational services.
It is beneficial to contact people in groups to improve health. There are three primary places people gather
during the week: work, church, and school. These are three excellent places to reach people to create a
culture of health.
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Unemployment December 2022
Source: BLS, December 2022, preliminary, not seasonally adjusted
Greene County’s December 2022 preliminary unemployment was 3% compared to 3.5% for both
Arkansas and the U.S.
Photo source: Discover Paragould
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Psychographics – Tapestry Segmentation
Demographics are population, age, sex, and race. Psychographics are adding behavior data in the form of
spending habits and survey data combined with demographics. Forty percent of Greene County are
included in three Tapestry Segments. The map below is color coded by LifeMode, which are groupings of
Tapestry Segments that behave similarly. The dominant Tapestry Segment of each census tract is
identified by number and name.
The dominant Tapestry Segments in the county were Southern Satellites (14.9%), Hometown Heritage
(13.3%), and Midlife Constants (12.6%).
There is a very brief description of the segments on the right of the map. There is much more information
on Tapestry Segments, at http://doc.arcgis.com/en/Esri-demographics/data/tapestry-segmentation.htm.
Analyzing the Tapestry Segments in the study area helps determine health habits, technology, and
communication preferences of residents, enabling more effective communication and implementation of
solutions to improve health. Many spoke of meeting people where they are in the interviews. Studying
their Tapestry Segment can help do that.
Source: Esri
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Interviews Summary
Community stakeholders representing the broad interests of the community as well as those representing
low income, medically underserved, and minority populations participated in interviews on March 14 and
15, 2023, for their input into the community’s health. Community participation in the interviews
represented a broad range of interests and backgrounds. Below is a summary of the interviews.
The participants defined health as a state of wellbeing – physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental with a
good quality of life. They believe health is impacted by one’s access to resources and that the health of
the county could be better.
The most significant health issues for the communities were:
• Mental health – leads to physical health issues, kids experiencing trauma, violence, homelessness,
poverty
• Substance misuse – Drugs, vaping, smoking, tobacco
• Healthy eating/nutrition – obesity, diet, diabetes, food insecurity, expensive healthy foods
• Access to healthcare – lack of people taking care of themselves, transportation, access to
physicians, poverty
• Active living – sedentary lifestyles, lack of exercise, need more walking trails
• Education
• Housing
• Traffic accidents
• Feeling safe on the east side of town
• Non-compliance with doctors to improve health conditions
If given a magic wand and no resource restrictions, the participants selected the following solutions to
improve health.
• Increasing outdoor spaces
• Access to care
• Children – affordable childcare, education for pre-teens and highschoolers regarding their health
and wellness
• Increasing transportation
• Education – teach people how to take care of themselves
• Resources – free supplies for those in poverty, more low-income housing
• Trying to build an industry in Paragould for people to work in
• Eliminate drugs
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Photo Credit: Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
Health Status Data, Rankings, and Comparisons
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Health Status Data
Based on the 2022 County Health Rankings study performed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
and the University of Wisconsin
2
, Greene County ranked 14
th
out of 75 Arkansas counties ranked for
health outcomes (1= the healthiest; 75 = unhealthiest), and 19
th
for health factors. Health outcomes are
composed of length of life and quality of life. Health factors are comprised of health behaviors, clinical
care, social & environmental factors, and physical environment. To become the healthiest community in
AR and eventually the nation, Greene County must close several lifestyle gaps.
County Health Rankings suggested the areas to explore for improvement in Greene County were:
• higher adult smoking
• higher percentage of adult obesity
• higher uninsured
• lower percentage of high school completion
• lower percentage of some college
• higher percentage of violent crime
The strengths were:
• higher food environment index
• lower percentage of excessive drinking
• lower preventable hospital stays
• higher flu vaccinations
When analyzing the health status data, local results were compared to AR, the U.S. (where available), and
the top 10% of counties in the U.S. (the 90th percentile). For additional perspective, AR was ranked the
48
th
healthiest state out of the 50 states. (Source: 2020 America’s Health Rankings; lower is better)
AR challenges were:
1. High premature death rate
2. High prevalence of multiple chronic conditions
3. High prevalence of cigarette smoking
The strengths were:
• Low prevalence of excessive drinking
• High supply of primary care providers
• Low percentage of households experiencing severe housing problems
Information from County Health Rankings and America’s Health Rankings was analyzed in the CHNA in
addition to the previously reviewed sociodemographic information and other public health data. Other
data analyzed is referenced in the data below, such as: causes of death, demographics, socioeconomics,
consumer health spending, and primary research. If a measure was better than AR, it was identified as a
strength, and where an indicator was worse than AR, it was indicated as an opportunity for improvement.
To prevent strengths from becoming opportunities for improvement, it’s important to continually focus on
them. Opportunities were denoted with red titles, and strengths were denoted with green titles for easy
interpretation. The years displayed on the County Health Rankings graphs show the year the data was
released. The actual years of the data are contained in the source notes below the graphs.
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2
The Rankings are based on a model of population health that emphasizes the many factors that, if improved, can help make
communities healthier places to live, learn, work and play. Building on the work of America’s Health Rankings, the University of
Wisconsin Population Health Institute has used this model to rank the health of Arkansas’s counties every year since 2003.
Photo Credit: Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
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Rankings and Comparisons of Health Status
In most of the following graphs, Greene County will be navy blue, AR will be purple, U.S. will be teal
and the 90th percentile of counties in the U.S. will be blue.
Health Outcomes (Length of Life and Qualify of Life)
Health Outcomes are a combination of length of life and quality of life measures. Greene County ranked
14
th
in health outcomes out of 75 Arkansas counties.
Length of Life
Length of life was measured by years of potential life lost per 100,000 population prior to age 75; here,
lower is better. For example, a 25-year-old killed in an accident equates to 50 years of potential life lost
prior to age 75. Greene County ranked 16
th
in length of life in AR. Greene County lost 9,091 years of
potential life per 100,000 population which was lower than AR but higher than the U.S.
Greene County residents can expect to live 3.4 years less than the average U.S. resident.
Source: County Health Rankings; National Center for Health Statistics – Mortality File 2018-2020
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Leading Causes of Death: Age-Adjusted Death Rates per 100,000 Population
Rates in red represent higher death rates higher than AR. The leading causes of death in Greene County
were heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, strokes, and accidents.
Greene County’s suicide rate was above AR and the U.S.; however, the trend has declined.
Source(s): Wonder CDC.gov (2019) Age-adjusted rates per 100,000 population. Age Adjustment Uses 2000 Standard
Population.
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Quality of Life
Quality of life was measured by: % reporting fair or poor health, the average number of poor physical
health days and poor mental health days in the past 30 days, and % of live births with birthweight less
than 2500 grams, or 5.5 lbs. Greene County ranked 22
nd
in quality of life out of 75 Arkansas counties.
Source: County Health Rankings; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2019
Source: County Health Rankings: National Center for Health Statistics – Natality files (2014-2020)
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Health Factors or Determinants
Health factors or determinants rankings are comprised of measures related to health behaviors (30%),
clinical care (20%), social & economic factors (40%), and physical environment (10%). Greene County
ranked 19
th
in health factors out of 75 Arkansas counties.
Health Behaviors
Health behaviors are made up of nine measures and account for 30% of the county rankings.
Greene County ranked 32
nd
in health behaviors out of 75 counties in Arkansas. Although Greene
County’s percentage of obesity was 34%, which is high, the percentage was lower than AR.
Greene County’s health behavior issues are physical inactivity, access to exercise opportunities,
smoking, excessive drinking, and teen birth rate.
Source: Obesity & Physical Inactivity – CHR, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2019
Source: Access to exercise opportunities – CHR, Business Analyst, Delorme map data, Esri, & US Census Tigerline Files, 2010
and 2021. Measures the percentage of individuals in a County who live reasonably close to a location for physical activity,
defined as parks or recreational facilities (local, state national parks, gyms, community centers, YMCAs, dance studios and pools
based on SIC codes)
Source: Smoking - CHR; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2019
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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Source: Excessive drinking - CHR; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2019
Source: Alcohol-impaired driving deaths - CHR; Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2016-2020
Source: STIs - CHR; National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, 2019
Source: Food environment: CHR; USDA Food Environment Atlas, Map the Meal Gap from Feeding America, 2019
The food environment index is comprised of % of the population with limited access to healthy
foods and % of the population with food insecurity. Limited access to foods estimates the % of
the population who are low income and do not live close to a grocery store. Food insecurity is
the % of the population who did not have access to a reliable source of food during the past year.
Source: Teen birth rate – CHR; National Center for Health Statistics – Natality files, 2014-2020
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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Clinical Care
Clinical care ranking is made up of seven indicators, and account for 20% of the county rankings. Greene
County ranked 27
th
in clinical care out of 75 Arkansas counties. The clinical care issues are preventable
hospital stays, high population to primary care physicians, dentists and mental health providers. Although
Greene County had a higher percentage of flu vaccinations than AR, the COVID-19 vaccination rate was
lower than AR.
Source: Uninsured - CHR; Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, 2019
Source: Preventable hospital stays, mammography screening, flu vaccinations – CHR, CMS Mapping Medicare Disparities Tool,
2019
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Source: Pop to PCP - CHR; Area Health Resource File/American Medical Association, 2019
Source: Pop to Dentists - CHR; Area Health Resource File/National Provider Identification file, 2020
Source: Pop to mental health provider (psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, counselors, marriage and
family therapists and advanced practice nurses specializing in mental health) CHR; CMS, National Provider Identification, 2021
Source: Diabetes prevalence – Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2019
Vaccination Rates
Source: covidactnow.org
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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Social and Economic Factors
Social and economic factors account for 40% of the county rankings. There are eight measures in the
social and economic factors category. Greene County ranked 21
st
in social and economic factors out of 75
Arkansas counties. The social and economic opportunities for improvement were some college, social
associations, and the higher percentage of children in poverty.
Source: High school completion– CHR, American Community Survey, 5-yr estimates, 2016-2020
Source: Some college CHR; American Community Survey, 5-year estimates, 2016-2020.
Source: Children in poverty - CHR; U.S. Census, Small area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2020
Source: Social associations - CH
R; County Business Patterns, 2019
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Source: Income inequality and children in single-parent households - CHR; American Community Survey, 5-year estimates
2016-2020
Source: Injury deaths – CHR; National Center for Health Statistics – Mortality Files, 2016-2020
Source: Violent crime - CHR; Uniform Crime Reporting – FBI, 2014 & 2016
Photo Credit: Discover Paragould
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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Physical Environment
Physical environment contains four measures in the category and accounts for 10% of the county
rankings. Greene County ranked 10
th
in physical environment out of 75 Arkansas counties. The concern
was long commute-driving alone.
Source: Drinking water violations – County Health Rankings; EPA, Safe Drinking Water Information System, 2020 Source:
Severe housing problems – County Health Rankings; HUD Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy data, 2014-2018.
Source: Driving alone to work and long commute – County Health Rankings: American Community Survey, 5-year estimates,
2016-2020. Source: Air pollution – County Health Rankings: CDC National Environmental Health Tracking Network, 2018
Source: Broadband access – C
HR; American Community Survey, 5-yr estimates, 2016-2020
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Summary of Most Significant Health Needs from all Sources
Below is a summary of the significant health needs identified by the community in 2020, Greene County
Health Department, secondary data, and the interview responses. The health issues are color coded across
the sources for easier analysis. The community used this analysis to prioritize the most significant health
issues in the county at the community health summit.
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ADDRESS, CITY, ST ZIP or by phone 123.456.7891 or via the hospital website. www.WEBSITE.org
Photo Credit: Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce
Results of the CHNA: Prioritized Health Needs
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Paper copies of this document may be obtained at: NAME Medical Center
ADDRESS, CITY, ST ZIP or by phone 123.456.7891 or via the hospital website. www.WEBSITE.org
Prioritization Criteria
The hospital leadership reviewed the community health information and used the criteria below to
prioritize the health needs in the community.
Magnitude
How big is the problem? How many individuals does the
problem affect, either actually or potentially?
Seriousness of the Consequences What would happen if the issue were not made a priority?
Equity Does this affect one group more than others?
Feasibility
Is the problem preventable? How much change can be made?
What is the community’s capacity to address it?
Most Significant Community Health Needs
The community participants at the community health summit reviewed the community health information
and used the criteria above to prioritize the health needs in the community.
The following needs were prioritized by attendees at the Community Health Summit. Using a nominal
group technique, each attendee received three votes and voted via Mentimeter.
• Chronic diseases – heart disease and diabetes -18
• Mental health- suicide - 16
• Substance use, including tobacco - 13
• Healthy weight – healthy eating/active living – 13
• Socioeconomics – poverty, living wage jobs – 8
• Access to care, including cost – 5
• Social determinants of health – housing – 4
• Health education – 2
• Formal education – high school, college – 2
• Parenting skills – 1
• Teen pregnancy – 1
• Neglect and abuse - 1
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Community Health Summit Brainstorming
Once the stakeholders had prioritized the most significant health issues, the table groups discussed what
might be done to improve the health issue. The attendees brainstormed solutions for the top six issues.
Below are notes from the brainstorming session.
Significant Health Need 1: Chronic diseases (heart disease and diabetes)
Goal 1 – Decrease hospital readmission rates for diabetes and heart disease
Action 1 – Revamp inpatient and outpatient education upon discharge spending more time with them
while in the hospital not just upon discharge
Action 2 – Refer ED patients to primary care providers (from a list) and provide them a list of urgent care
facilities for more urgent needs
Action 3 – Increase internal resources to see newly diagnosed diabetics and heart failure patients for
automatic nutritional consults
Resources/Collaborators Needed: Quality department, Diabetes educator, education department
Goal 2 – Re-create a chronic disease management clinic focusing on keeping people well
Action 1 – Identify an area to create a chronic disease focused clinic
Action 2 – Identify practitioners to staff the clinic
Action 3 – Assess the need for transportation to and from the clinic
Action 4 – Generate an order for patients to receive a follow-up phone call to schedule a visit to the
chronic disease clinic
Action 5 – Track compliance of follow-up appointments versus re-visits/admissions
Resources/Collaborators Needed: Grant writers, Pathways, Four Rivers, Bridges
Significant Health Need 2: Mental Health
Goal 1 – Recognize the symptoms of depression and anxiety
Action 1 – Provide mental health resources at public Health Fairs
Action 2 – Provide mental health resources to employers when doing health fairs onsite
Resources/Collaborators Needed: AMMC, employers, mental health agencies and providers
Goal 2 – Address mental health issues in the school system
Action 1 – Provide mental health programs for students at schools, include parents
Action 2 – Explore using county health and other government resources to aid in the treatment of
student’s mental health issues
Resources/Collaborators Needed: School systems, educators, mental health agencies and providers
Significant Health Need 3: Substance use (including tobacco)
Goal 1 – Reduce Greene County tobacco usage by 3% to equal the state percentage in 18 months
Action 1 – Increase awareness through education. Identify and promote free state and local community
resources.
Action 2 – Partner with local health care providers. Identify and partner with regional resources such as
Better Breathers.
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Resources/Collaborators Needed: Schools, marketing, media, radio, health fairs, providers
Goal 2 – Reduce Greene County tobacco usage to below state levels within 36 months
Action 1 – Create multi-part school-based education program carried out with community-based
campaigns.
Action 2 – Utilize clinical tools and resource systems to help who already smoke, manage nicotine
addiction
Action 3 – Promote the regulation of tobacco products
Action 4 – Support and enforce clean air standards
Significant Health Need 4: Healthy weight
Goal 1 – Develop at least one community garden within 1 year using raised beds
Action 1 – Determine location, supplies, what to grow
Action 2 – Build planters and provide nutrition and cooking education.
Resources/Collaborators Needed: Extension service, school districts, community groups (Master
Gardeners, Parks & Rec, Senior Bees, Farm Bureau)
Goal 2 – Create a community get up and go move program for Fall
Action 1 – Create a website based on the Walk Across AR program
Resources/Collaborators Needed: Parks & Rec, Extension Service, Health department, Businesses, State
Parks, AMMC
Significant Health Need 5: Socioeconomics
Goal 1 – Provide health education
Action 1 – Create a rewards program for following recommended health changes, e.g. attending diabetes
program
Resources/Collaborators Needed: DHS, Mission outreach, Hospital, Health Dept., volunteers
Goal 2 – Provide life education
Action 1 – Develop a life skill center with the goal of breaking the poverty cycle
Action 2 – Teach how to manage money, job interview, be a good employee,
Resources/Collaborators Needed: Churches, schools, City and County, community
Significant Health Need 6: Access to care (including cost)
Goal 1 – Improve access to underserved communities
Action 1 – Acquire a mobile health unit for screening and education
Resources/Collaborators Needed: Crowley’s Ridge Development Council, local healthcare facilities,
community liaison, volunteers, CANOPY at NWA.
Goal 2 – Improve access to vulnerable populations
Action 1 – Expand insurance coverage. Utilize a Medicaid expert to help enroll people.
Action 2 – Utilize community leaders in the minority communities to gain trust and break through
cultural barriers
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Resources/Collaborators Needed: Churches, non-profits, volunteers, providers, insurance experts
Impact of 2020 CHNA and Implementation Plan
The 2020 Community Health Needs Assessment and Implementation Plan had a positive impact on
Greene County. Each need was addressed, but there were definitely some setbacks due to Covid. While
healthcare tackled unexpected challenges due to Covid, AMMC was able to continue quality programs
and services. Our team of experts were able to take care of our community’s Covid needs while
continuing the services that make our hospital thrive. AMMC was a leader for our community during this
time and continues to make the safety of our patients, visitors and staff a high priority.
AMMC was able to promote healthy living and address obesity by hosting health fairs at local businesses.
Our team was able to participate and promote the Diabetes Glow Run and Race for the Cure. Allison
Hitt, APRN and Callie Talley, APRN have joined AMMC and are certified in weight loss. AMMC is
supportive of community initiatives such as the 8 Mile Creek Trail, community health fairs and
opportunities to speak at civic and educational organizations. Our team is working with Greene County
Parks and Recreation to do screenings on the 8 Mile Creek Trail for senior citizens on May 31 – which is
National Senior Citizen Health and Fitness Day. AMMC has been a leader in promoting healthy living
and will continue to tackle this issue for years to come.
Substance abuse remains constant in Greene County, but AMMC took leadership roles to bring awareness
to this issue. Our providers are informed on substance abuse and have a plan to help local families. Our
team works regularly with local officials to provide information on drug and alcohol abuse, and this
collaboration will continue to help provide hope for our families affected.
AMMC addressed access to care by applying for grants that help with transportation. We were able to
receive several grants from First United Methodist Church to purchase gas cards for families in need.
Mission Outreach and AMMC have also collaborated in the past to provide services for their occupants.
The Family and Women’s Health and Urgent Care building opened in October 2019 to provide extended-
hours care for our community.
Mental health issues continue to increase in our community. AMMC has taken steps to improve these
services by serving on the Opioid Task Committee, providing information on suicide prevention, and
working with local schools and businesses through health fairs. Our providers work with our social
services department to provide the best possible care for those struggling with mental health issues.
AMMC addressed teen pregnancy through literature and will continue to provide information and
services to our young people.
AMMC recognizes the chronic disease issues in our community. Several of our local providers presented
information on social media and to local civic organizations. They provided information on issues such
as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
AMMC is committed to providing quality care and programs to our community. AMMC provided
expertise and safety for our community during Covid, and we will continue to be a trusted leader in local
healthcare.
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org - 38 -
Paper copies of this document may be obtained at: NAME Medical Center
ADDRESS, CITY, ST ZIP or by phone 123.456.7891 or via the hospital website. www.WEBSITE.org
Photo Credit: Discover Paragould
Appendices
• Interview Results
• Community Asset Inventory
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or by phone 123.456.7891 or via the hospital website. www.WEBSITE.org
Interview Results
Seventeen community stakeholders representing the broad interests of the community as well as those
representing low income, medically underserved, and minority populations participated in interviews on
March 14 and 15, 2023, for their input into the community’s health. Community participation in the
interviews represented a broad range of interests and backgrounds. Below are notes taken directly from
the interviews.
1. How do you define health?
• Wellbeing
o Mental, physical, spiritual health, general wellbeing of a person
o Overall wellbeing in the community, mental, physical, emotional, whole person
• Access to resources
o People having resources to take care of themselves and their overall well-being
o The ability to get what they need – housing, therapy, services, medications, etc.
• Ability to function
o Be able to do what you want, perform daily functions, have a healthy lifestyle.
o Ability of your body, mental and physical
o Functioning at peak capacity – biologic definition
2. For the purposes of this Community Health Needs Analysis, the community is Greene County,
generally, how would you describe the community’s health?
• Needs improvement
o Many people haven’t been to the doctor in a while.
o Have a lot of work still to do – heart disease.
o 40% are healthy, significant portion challenged in their health
o On average, some people don’t have a good level of health.
o Opportunities to have more engaging healthy lifestyles, lack of resources and knowledge.
o Disparity – has to do with what people are able to do with themselves and level of education
they have. There is a population at risk who have very little resources, housing and food
insecurity. Hierarchy of need levels
o Manufacturing – tough environment to work in
o Lifestyle choices – drug use, tobacco use, diet, lack of exercise and activity combine to create
a less than ideal atmosphere for a healthy population
• Average
o Moderate – not good
o Overall, average, 2 to 3 out of 5
• Good or better
o Overall good – have doctors and amenities, health needs can be met by Health Dept, clinics,
hospital, 7 or 8 out of 10 always room for improvement
o Good as a whole, some people really care about taking care of themselves
• Varied
o Diversity in health – lean towards a healthier environment than some cities. People take care
of themselves.
Some that pay attention to health and work to stay healthy, eat right, take care
of themselves. Those with more resources pay more attention.
o Wide range – general population seemingly well adjusted. There are so many things going on
politically and socially that we can’t control that contribute to well-being.
o Healthy, and some are unhealthy. Some can’t get the care they need based on financial
situation. Healthcare is out of reach for a lot of people. Many are on the edge, not qualifying
for assistance, but not able to afford insurance. Put off healthcare and results in being unwell.
B grade
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3. What are the biggest health concerns or issues for the communities today?
• Mental health
o Mental health and can lead to physical health issues
o Mental health – seeing kids experiencing trauma, violence, homelessness, poverty, huge in
the schools and in the community
• Substance Use
o Drugs and vaping – teens not understanding the issues with vaping
o Drugs, smoking, tobacco use
• Healthy eating/nutrition
o Lack of healthy lifestyle, diet, leading to childhood and adult obesity
o The price of healthy living and eating is costly, not being able to get nutritious food, lack of a
fresh market, especially in the county.
o The easy option not the healthiest option – processed food and the cost of groceries have
increased.
o Food insecurity
• Access to care, insurance, and affordability
o Lack of care, taking care of themselves
o Transportation for elderly is an issue
o Access to physicians and healthcare providers is a challenge.
o The cost of going to the doctor is very expensive, Medicare Advantage plans are a scam, lack
of insurance.
o Poverty contributes to poor health status, not seeking care, medications
o People put off seeking care and now in a catastrophic situation and results in extremely high-
cost care
o Difficulty finding physicians who will take new patients
o Financial access to things that would improve their health – food, exercise, social
connections.
o People want to be healthy and would love to see a provider if they could afford it
• Active Living
o Sedentary lifestyles leading to obesity
o Driving culture – need a walkable community, no infrastructure to get there
o Recently put in a walking trail, more opportunities for physical activity
o Sidewalks not connected across the city
o Diet, lack of exercise and activity – aren’t necessarily seen as problems for the people
impacted by them. Can lead a horse to water…
• Education
o The school system and education are above average.
o The level of education for all differs.
o Always concerned about people being able to read, about being illiterate. Shouldn’t be that
way. We have to do better
o Knowledge of options for nutrition, access to services, resources and physicians
• Housing
o Housing is a challenge
o Housing for seniors
• Disease correctable conditions due to lifestyle, diabetes
• Traffic accidents – distracted drivers
• Safe Haven boxes – don’t have one in our city. We may consider having one
• Feeling safe on the east side of town. Doesn’t feel safe
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• Non-compliance – hypertension & diabetes supposed to take medication, but don’t, can’t afford
it, etc.
4. What are the most important health issues facing various populations including medically
underserved, low-income populations?
• Transportation
o Don’t have transportation.
o Transportation issues – car not working is a crisis for the family, fragile environment, see a
lot of pedestrians.
• Access to Care
o Lack of healthcare, dental care
o Working poor and Medicaid access to care, but insurance is expensive, will sacrifice
insurance for food. Not a program to fix this.
o Inability to get medical care –wait until they’re really sick and rely on the ED as their clinic
which is not the best system.
o Access to healthcare for all constituencies – no one is turned away. Only so far to stretch
resources that are available.
• Chronic disease/health issues
o High blood pressure, heart issues
o Struggling with back issues, some have worked a long time.
o Diabetes
• Healthy eating/nutrition
o Eating right – nutrition leading to obesity
o Food insecurity - one of the biggest issues we deal with locally, access to food.
o Access to healthy foods lacking, unhealthy eating habits, diet.
• Poverty
o Finances are a challenge.
o Cycle of poverty and can’t figure a way out. All driven by economics. Choice of food is
going to be bad if you have little money. Leads to obesity and health risks.
o Need to help low-income individuals – invest more in helping people that didn’t start on 3
rd
base and are still in the dugout. Haven’t had a fair shake in life. Have groups to come in and
help them make lifestyle choices and be self-supportive.
• Mental health
o Mental health struggles - medication not taken regularly. Need to see a doctor to get on
medication.
• Knowledge/health education
o Don’t know what resources are available – maybe people should know more about resources
available.
o If medically underserved, not trying to be served. Lack of knowledge of resources
o Don’t know what you don’t know – health education.
o Lack of knowledge or interest in exercise
o Education about lifestyle including nutrition, having access to healthy food, cooking,
knowing importance of that for health and well-being.
o Don’t consider healthcare a priority until they have severe issues, diabetes, obesity and costly
at that point. If they had taken preventive measures earlier on, may have been avoided.
o Bad choices, lack of priorities, not knowing any better
• Substance Use
o Tobacco use
o Inverse relationship between drug use and income, escape mechanism.
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• People trying to get on disability and lots on disability in the shelter.
5. What are the most important health issues facing various populations including minority
populations?
• Marshallese Community
o Marshallese – multigenerational and families living together – more communication, hard to
know what they need, keeping them connected to the community.
o Vaping with the Marshallese population
o Marshallese population on the east side of town – not sure what care is available.
• Cultural / Language
o Cultural differences - Fail to use services available cultural issues.
o Language barriers - keep them from getting assistance related to health, access to medical
providers they can communicate with effectively.
o Community getting more diversified and unprepared prepared to handle language and
communication barriers.
• Mental Health, systemic issues
o More mental health services, cultural awareness, and inclusivity towards minorities
o Systemic issues – with certain populations everybody hits a bias. They take the brunt of
racism in our culture. Problems cross culturalism
• Social Determinants of Health
o Disparity among socioeconomic levels is not as much about race or ethnicity but around
income.
o Most on the lower socioeconomic scale
o Food insecurity
o Low income, living in worst areas, housing poor, taken advantage of
• Access to care
o Barriers to getting healthcare, cost, lack of knowledge and education, language barriers,
knowing what resources are available and who to call.
o Having access to insurance
• Our community will continue to change, not a very diverse community and that’s not healthy.
• Truancy – many miss school on Fridays or Monday
• ESL classes in school and needs healthcare specific.
• Generally hard working, diligent and assimilate fairly well.
• No difference between minorities and non-minorities. Hispanic community, African Americans
all the same
6. What are the most important health issues facing children?
• Parenting
o Parents taking care of children, check-ups, and some do not, some kids don’t have support to
participate in sports, or provide basic needs, food. School districts are trying to fill gaps.
o Unstable home life
o Neglect, uninvolved parents, lack of a loving home
o Drug use around kids
o Broken homes and must deal with two sets of families.
o Sexual abuse, physical abuse
• Childhood obesity/ activity
o Some are active and have a safe place to play, for some it is a challenge.
o Childhood obesity – sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise
o Diet and activity, lack of exercise, more electronic online use
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o Could do better with parks, walking trails, and activities for kids. Lack of things to do to stay
out of trouble, healthy activities.
• Food insecurity/Diet, nutrition
o Hunger, Food insecurity
o Food insecurity for kids – school provides food.
o Not at home prepared meals, fast food dependency, quick serve eating habits.
o Diet, nutrition II, activity levels
o Obesity – low activity levels
• Mental health issues/substance use
o Mental health issues growing
o Depression, bullying, social media – mental health of our teenagers, suicide.
o Narcotics and their availability- drugs, smoking, vaping, substance use
• Access to Care
o Access to pediatric care, dental care
o Socioeconomically divided community in youth and children – less access to care and access
to healthy food and exercise
• Education/Vocation
o Education - the more children can be in good schools and learn the better
o Make sure kids have a job when they graduate since not all kids are going to college.
• Vaccination situation parents who aren’t as willing to have their kids vaccinated due to lack of
education or ability to get vaccinated.
7. What are the most important health issues facing seniors?
• Mental health
o Mental health, dementia
o Fear of the unknown
• Access to care
o Availability of certain physicians and prescription costs
o Can meet most of their needs but need specialists.
o Have transportation needs – can usually get those met.
o Lack of resources, or knowledge to know what the resources are.
o Ability to get to the resources, transportation.
o Lack of in-home care options, supportive services or affordable facilities for assisted living
and skilled care
o Don’t get care they need, high cost of assisted living & nursing home care.
o Medicare Advantage plans deceptive and can’t get care or get it paid for
• Food/Nutrition
o Hunger, food shortages, food pantry, food insecurity
o Ability to prepare healthy meals.
o Waiting list for meals on wheels
• Support
o Neglect, abuse
o Loneliness, lack of having someone or some entity help them.
• Physical Health
o Heart disease, blood pressure, strokes – chronic conditions
o Culmination of choices made earlier in their life – lack of activity, improper diet.
o Trouble getting around, not very mobile.
o Physical health deterioration since the pandemic
o Lots like to be active, so more activities for them.
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• Frustrating knowing what resources are available, knowing what care is available, too much
money for this, not enough money for that.
• Housing for seniors – Mini rise apartment for seniors 60 and above, let that lapse and it turned
into a senior and handicapped home. Seniors don’t feel as comfortable there now. The
handicapped are in their 20s and 30s and have friends over and play poker, etc. The housing
authority is in the east part of town. Where some people live is sad.
• Tobacco use
8. The community performed a CHNA in 2020 and identified priorities for health improvement,
1. Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder
2. Obesity- Healthy Eating and Active Living
3. Chronic Diseases - Diabetes and High Blood Pressure
4. Teen Pregnancy/Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Low Birth Weight Babies
5. Socioeconomics
6. Access to Care
What has changed most related to health status in the last three years?
• Mental health
o Mental health has gotten worse.
o Resources for mental health care are low, and don’t have a good resource for that.
o Mental health still a big issue and national problem
o The number one issue is mental health in police department and in the ED.
• Obesity – Healthy Eating and Active Living
o Obesity – a problem in all the south and Arkansas
o Obesity has improved – begun a comprehensive trail system, farmer’s market.
o Fat belt because of our diet
o Food provided to seniors may not meet their health needs and may not need, not most
nutritionally valuable.
o Have really worked on getting people places to exercise.
o Active living improved due to the 8-Mile Creek Trail, applying for large grant to connect the
trail to Jonesboro.
• Chronic disease
o Chronic disease still an issue
o Have made some strides in Diabetes resources and heart disease.
o Chronic diseases are worse because people didn’t get the care they needed.
• Access to care
o Access to care is a huge challenge and has probably gotten worse. COVID has taken a toll on
staffing for healthcare. Medicare Advantage goal is to remove money from the healthcare
system and deny care and take advantage of elderly. Ambulance service has grown. Skilled
nursing facilities are a huge challenge – hard to find an opening and hard to find a good one.
o Access to care hasn’t gotten worse.
o Might debate access to care – 6
th
right position, maybe 4 or 5.
• Socioeconomics
o Socioeconomic factors should be higher as well as access to care. Socioeconomics are tied
with obesity because they go hand in hand.
o Socioeconomics may have more of a disparity from poor to rich with little in between.
o If you want a job in Paragould, AR no reason you couldn’t get a job with health benefits.
Unemployment is low and de facto minimum wage is $15 per hour.
• Teen pregnancy
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o Teen pregnancy not sure, but feel like it is still an issue.
o Teen pregnancy has improved. Options expanded to Paragould.
o Don’t know about teen pregnancy.
o Don’t see teen pregnancy in the top 5.
o Making strides with teen pregnancy, educating young people better
• Didn’t hear farming accidents – seems like that is a bigger issue. Accidents – drowning always
seem like issues.
• Don’t hear as much about substance use.
• Order and validity
o 1 and 2 are good, five and six move up, don’t know about 3 and 4.
o Same, maybe a little worse
o May have gotten worse – due to COVID, stressed every facet of health and healthcare and the
population, stressed the system.
o Not a whole lot better – worse since the pandemic. Getting better now.
o Some are valid and some have improved.
o Still relevant. Maybe the order could change, add elderly care, move up access to care.
o All still valid, none should be off the list.
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9. What environmental factors have the biggest impact on community health?
• Outdoor infrastructure/built environment
o Built an 8-mile trail, really positive. Safety on the trail with the cameras that link right into
911
Just opened 8-Mile Creek Trail – so many families, walking dogs.
o Overall walkability score – 26 or 28, pretty low, sidewalks not sufficient
o Lack of investment in sidewalks for people to walk to lunch. The current administration is
good and trying to fix years of neglect. No sidewalk maintenance program has been in place.
o Mayor wants to create more walking spaces, trails, embrace natural environment, sidewalks
aren’t connected, just stop, so need a sidewalk plan.
o If don’t have a vehicle, walking is a need. Maintain sidewalks we have.
o Doing a walkability and pedestrian street plan to increase walkability.
o Has green spaces, walking trail. 5 parks
o High curbs downtown, hard to step up.
o Paragould has made steps forward. More people out cycling, built a trail and is being used.
Plans to expand the trail.
o Reynolds Park – new pavilions so many people taking advantage of
o Moving in the right direction. Walking paths, tennis courts, library, tracks, community
center
o Have not prioritized being a walkable city in the past and will take years to correct. Easier to
drive than to walk
o Lack of sidewalks, safe places to walk
• Housing – people get vouchers to move into housing but can’t find landlords who take HUD.
Housing that you’re sad to see people live in. Have seen some of the poor conditions people
live in.
• Transportation
o Transportation and housing are issues – affordable housing, livable conditions, very difficult
for many families
o Transportation – just big enough to have the issues, but not big enough to have public
transportation. It is very hard for some to get to their jobs.
o Traffic accidents appears to be more recently, distracted drivers
o Senior Bees Transportation is good, take meals out to the homebound
o Transportation – no buses, no public transportation
o Dependence on cars. People who don’t have cars, have trouble getting around to access the
things that will make them healthier. Need public transportation.
• Agriculture
o Have a lot of farmlands here, may affect some people
o Could be agricultural issues, burning of fields
o Agriculture and chemicals used may impact health
• Attitudes
o Paragould is very progressive after years of not being. Turning the tide
o There is a segment that doesn’t want Paragould to grow, wants the progression to stop.
Don’t think of it as a dead community but it would be. Health is connected to economic
progress in the community. Industry looks for things to do in a community and hospital,
boosts an economy and also drives health.
o WIFI available, place for kids to go and do their homework
o Violent crime rare, petty theft normal
10. What do you think the barriers will be to improve health in the communities?
• Education – health
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o Education – making sure providers are educating the public and making sure the word is out
on what’s available – social clubs, senior centers, churches, schools going into these
organizations and making sure they know.
o Education – educating people, better decisions, earlier ages, motivating people to care about
health
• Mindset/Motivation
o Mindset – get people to change their perception of a progressive community and what that
means to health, control the narrative, get buy-in from the community. Explain the benefits of
health and the hospital. Education of the masses and spending as much as we can on public
relations and let everyone know how important health and the hospital is.
o Motivation to get up and get moving
o Changing people’s mindset – getting them to buy in and believe. People have trust issues,
immunization for COVID, so much misinformation. Must make sure we’re giving solid data
with simple language.
o Give people all the reasons, but until people need to see the need for a change, may not
change. Promote healthy lifestyles, make it easier for activity and nutrition. Incentivize people
to be healthy. Gym and fitness space has increased exponentially in the past years.
o Public perception of people that exercise, progress, outside activities. They want to go back to
the 1960s or 80s. Inactivity and obesity wasn’t what it is now. It’s an easier life now but
breeds inactivity. Progress is like people from NY or California -- bad.
o Challenge is lackadaisical approach and ability to change. Conservative community – building
the 8-mile trail, was the most radical idea ever. Resistance to change. Comes from
complacency. Very much a city of the haves and have nots. The haves know what’s out there
and what’s possible and the have nots can’t make it past Greene County and don’t know
what’s possible.
o Political rhetoric and division need to be quelled, no middle anymore; can no longer agree to
disagree. Contention. Misinformation gets put out. “If you’re not doing it for me, don’t want it
done”
• Access to insurance and care
o Insurance – being able to access insurance easier, DHS or state to state
o Funding for healthcare systems, rural healthcare is struggling and so important to rural areas
• Hopefully COVID doesn’t spike.
• Socioeconomic factors – both personally and for the city, struggling financially
• Isolation that people have gotten in the habit of being more at home.
• Infrastructure, money, economics up in the air
• Staffing
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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11. What community assets support health and wellbeing?
• Healthcare
o Hospital– important to keep it, huge for seniors and low-income population, conducts health
fairs, goes to industries for health days, is supportive and has wellness center, good asset. We
need to promote the facility & its resources. Hospital is upgraded and has excellent diabetes
programs
o St. Bernard’s, NEA
o Don’t have to go to Jonesboro for things anymore
o Diabetes educators – see them out and about more
o Good first responders
• Not-For-Profits and Social Services Organizations
o Mission Outreach – feed nutritious meals, food boxes
o Christian Women’s Job Corp – does a great job, provides bicycles for women
o Various types of churches are stepping up to meet the needs of seniors.
o Rotary, Kiwanis, ways to give back to the community.
o Senior Bee Center– activities for seniors, fun, great asset
o Schools – excellent education, backpack program for underserved kids, three public schools
that do a fantastic job. Equip them with more tools to help people
o Library
o Area Agency on Aging
o City Council and Mayor are proactive doing things to improve quality of life. To grow the
community, have to have things people like. People are working together.
o Have great NFPs and need more. Need more support from benefactors.
o The Crossing Church does a good job of serving and providing services to the Marshallese.
• Outdoors, Parks, Community Center
o Have 2 great state parks in the county – free to the public, maintained by the state. Both are on
the west side of the county, playgrounds, walking trails, fishing, swimming. Have done a poor
job celebrating the state parks. Magnify that we have 2.
o Crowley’s Ridge State Park
o Wonderful city parks located in different parts of the city are being revamped
o Reynolds Lake for fishing, nice park
o Good parks – skate park, dog park, water park, handicapped accessible parks
o Soccer fields, softball, kick ball
o Walkable downtown, thriving, lots going on, no vacant buildings downtown, opened
community pavilion for a farmer’s market, 10 city parks, community center indoor aquatic
center inexpensive, walking track, poured effort into team sports for youth. The lake, dog park
connected to the trail and connected to a running track. The trail connects high school,
downtown, fire station and 2 parks. Next leg will connect into two schools and neighbors.
o 8-mile river trail – lots of mentions and it has security cameras
o Community Center – walking track in and outside, pickle ball courts,
o Parks and Recreation Department – parks throughout the city, improving, safe, clean, well-lit
walking areas
o The city has done a good job promoting good quality of life, walking, biking,
o Parks and rec trying to enhance opportunities for team sports, softball, baseball, soccer
complexes youth sports, will improve and have more kids involved
o Community center - walking tracks, aquatic center in/outdoor, great resource
o Water aerobics at the community center
o Numerous retail gyms
o Community Center installed new equipment and awareness of fitness.
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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• Community offers seniors opportunities to work out and exercise.
• Paragould Downtown Association provides more community events.
• Lots of free things for people to do.
• Tight-knit community and people are willing to help. Try to find resources and answers. Have to
know who to call.
• Good spaces for social interactions
12. What, if any, health inequities exist in the community?
• Children
o Broadband needs of the kids – didn’t have Wi-Fi in city parks and kids had to log-in to
school. Affected the low income more than middle and upper class.
o Childcare remains a problem for single parents. Need good, affordable childcare.
o Mindset of kids and how they get out of bad mindsets at home. Busted families, hard on the
kids. Have resources available to the kids. Mental health assistance.
• Language/Cultural barriers
o Immigrant populations – Hispanic, language barriers, ability to get insurance.
o Minorities – increase in pacific islanders and haven’t figured out how to assist them based on
culture and language.
o Marshallese because of their language barrier and cultural issues with not seeking care.
• Low income and uninsured
o Those with lack of health insurance
o Lower socioeconomic group, also people on AR Medicaid have more restrictions on what
they have access to than commercial insurance, same for Medicare Advantage plans.
Restricts access to care.
o Affordability is a barrier to insurance. Can’t afford health insurance, trade food & car for
insurance. Expand assistance eligibility for families.
o Low income didn’t have as many outlets as the middle and upper classes. Community off of 4
lane highway and the only way to get there is to drive. If you have a parent who can take you
there the only way to get there. Caters more toward kids with transportation. Great facility,
hate the location.
o Income creates inequities sometimes.
o Economy and education – lower are more difficult, higher have better health.
• No inequities
o No, don’t think so. The Health Department available just like the hospital.
o Not necessarily
o Personal choice mainly
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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13. If you had a magic wand, what improvement activity should be a priority for the county to
improve health?
• Outdoor spaces
o Have more green space in and around Paragould, more outdoor activities.
o Places for people of all ages to hang out, have lunch, leisure.
o More walkability in town
o Have urban hiking trails connecting businesses and neighborhoods, senior centers, and all
parks.
o Bike trails along the roads to ride safely.
o Continue to provide infrastructure that facilitates active lifestyles.
o Focus on connectivity and trails, if you have access to a safe place to get out and exercise and
be in nature is the best medicine.
• Access to care
o More mental health resources in schools, assessments
o Make sure enough mental health resources and that no one is turned away.
o Figure out how to deal with mental health. Stress pushes people into mental health issues. Do
outreach to focus on mental health.
o Make access to healthcare easier, make all doctor’s office visits free.
o Providing healthcare – AMMC is one of the smaller hospitals that will be struggling for
survival due to Medicare Advantage plans paying celebrities with resources that should be
going to medical care. Hospitals are struggling to get money from these huge insurance
companies. Millions of dollars that should be reimbursed but aren’t. The ability of local
hospitals to provide healthcare is at risk. Working in Little Rock and the AHA nationally to
address this, but it is a real problem.
o Put millions into the hospital – retain good physicians, nurses. More funding to the hospital
for programming. World class facility keeps them here.
o Use the hospital & the clinics, staff with good doctors and staff and accessible by everyone
for education, treatment, easy to get all of their needs met.
o Make yearly health screenings mandatory, including dental care, mental health.
o Hospitals would benefit from partnering with a larger hospital that has access to more
specialty care. Bring more care to the local people here.
o Have a mobile clinic (church vans used to go through neighborhoods to pick up kids)
something like that to go to the people to get care due to transportation or distance.
• Children
o Quality, affordable childcare
o Parents to take care of their kids.
o More education for pre-teens and high schoolers to know more about their health and
wellness.
o Kids have access to all types of activities.
• Transportation
o Better modes of public transportation to get to Walmart and work.
o Overall transportation system to get people around.
o Increase capacity of trail system to become part of the transportation asset.
• Education
o Health coaches to be an advocate and educator for families to help along the way their
journey to health.
o Educate people kindergarten through senior groups on the benefits of good health, dental
health, vision, make sure people have the information about good healthcare and how to
obtain it. Make programs and funding available.
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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o Take healthcare education to the city blocks, more outreach. To schools, to block parties in
all neighborhoods. Taking education to them.
o There are good programs to focus on what we have in common than we’re different. How do
you get people to accept people different from them and come together.
• Resources
o Free supplies for those in poverty, have the basics, know where to get check-ups.
o Having money and the time to do the healthy things.
o Resources or ways to help those with few resources.
o Take for granted we have meals, but some don’t take it for granted. Make sure people have
hot meals each day.
o If everyone had money for food and copay and a car to get to work, then that would help.
o More low-income housing, apartments
o Find answers for the elderly, what are my options when they can no longer be cared for at
home. More support for caregivers
• Try to build industry in Paragould for people to work in. Some people won’t work but can. To
keep people from having to leave Paragould to work. Live, work play right here.
• How to make people care and respect for other people’s things
• No drugs, all recovery
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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Community Asset Inventory
This section contains a list of community assets and resources relative to the most significant health
issues that can help improve the health of the community and assist with implementation of the plan that
accompanies this document. This asset inventory is not exhaustive and may have inadvertently omitted
community resources. There is a form for making changes after the inventory at the end of this section.
Chronic Diseases (heart disease & diabetes)
Diabetes Resources
AMMC Diabetes Clinic
900 West Kingshighway
Paragould, AR 72450
870-239-7155
Paragould Family Care
5 Market Place
Paragould, AR 72450
870-236-4001
Paragould Wound Healing
4000 Linwood Drive
Paragould, AR 72450
870-240-8163
Heart Disease Resources
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
900 West Kingshighway
Paragould, AR 72450
870-239-7000
NEA Baptist Clinic
4700 West Kingshighway
Paragould, AR 72450
870-936-7652
Mental Health
Counseling/Therapy Services
Elysian Counseling Services
5301 Linwood Drive Unit C
Paragould, AR 72450
870-919-3871
NextStep Counseling Services
1707 Linwood Drive, Suite G
Paragould, AR 72450
870-604-4455
Open Book Wellness Center
517 North 14th Street Suite 4
Paragould, AR 72450
870-365-3881
Retrospect Counseling Center
2210 West Kingshighway Suite 3
Paragould, AR 72450
870-573-8033
Life Counseling
1024 West Court Street Suite B
Paragould, AR 72450
870-573-8092
The Best of You
221 West main Street
Paragould, AR 72540
870-573-8037
Hall & Associates
1905 Chateau Blvd
Paragould, AR 72450
870-236-2265
Substance Use (including tobacco)
The Agape House
4635 Hwy 135
Paragould, Arkansas 72450
870-586-0314
Arisa Health
#28 Southpointe Drive
Paragould, AR 72450
870-239-4222
Healthy weight (healthy eating/active living)
Healthy Eating Resources
Country Natural Health Food Store
1801 W Kingshighway # 5
Paragould, AR 72450
870-236-8009
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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The Healthy Hub
1704 Linwood Drive
Paragould, AR 72450
870-236-4482
Active Living Resources
Paragould Community Center
3404 Linwood Drive
Paragould, AR 72450
Paragould Aquatic Center
3404 Linwood Drive
Paragould, AR 72450
870-239-7530
Downtown Nutrition
225 South Pruett Street
Paragould, AR 72450
870-586-3205
Rockin’ Nutrition of Paragould
100 North Rockingchair Road
Paragould, AR 72450
870-243-6692
Parks
Paragould Labor Park Center
309 South 6
th
Avenue
Paragould, AR 72450
Harmon Park
309 W Northend Avenue
Paragould, AR 72450
Reynolds Park
3307 Reynolds Park Rd
Paragould, AR 72450
Bland & Threlkeld Baseball Park
1308 Carroll Road
Paragould, AR 72450
Socioeconomics (poverty, living wage jobs)
Paragould Housing Authority
612 East Canal Street
Paragould, AR 72450
870-239-8084
Mission Outreach of NEA
901 East Lake Street
Paragould, AR 72450
870-236-8080
Crowley’s Ridge Developmental Council Paragould
1 Centre 1 North
Paragould, AR 72450
Low-Income Apartments
Christopher Homes – Paragould
1612 South 9
th
Street
Paragould, AR 72450
870-239-8609
Access to care (including cost)
Arkansas Department of Human Services
809 Goldsmith Road
Paragould, AR 72451
870-236-8723
Medicaid/Medicare
AMMC Family Practice
1110 West Kingshighway
Paragould, AR 72450
870-205-2003
AMMC Foniticiella Medical Clinic
1000 West Kingshighway
Paragould, AR 72450
870-236-6930
AMMC Hines Family Practice
1300 West Court Street
Paragould, AR 72450
870-236-4100
Family Practice Associates
630 West Court Street
P
aragould, AR 72450
870-236-6911
1
st
Choice Healthcare
#1 Medical Drive
Paragould, AR 72450
870-236-2000
Sources
Chronic Diseases
https://www.
paragouldfamilycare
.com/
https://www.stbernards.info/locations/paragould-wound-healing
https://www.myammc.org/services?serviceID=37
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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https://www.neabaptistclinic.com/specialties/cardiovascular-thoracic-surgery/
Mental Health
https://elysiancounselingservices.com/
https://www.nextstepofarkansas.com/
https://www.openbookwellnesscenter.com/
https://www.retrospectcounseling.com/
https://counselingarkansas.com/
https://bestofyounea.com/
https://www.lscihelp.com/our-locations/paragould/
Healthy Weight (healthy eating/active living)
https://www.facebook.com/CountryNaturalHFS/
https://www.facebook.com/healthyhubparagould/
https://www.cityofparagould.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Community-Center-13
https://www.paragouldpolice.org/311/Aquatic-Center
https://www.cityofparagould.com/313/Labor-Park
https://www.paragouldpolice.org/390/Harmon-Park
https://www.cityofparagould.com/321/Reynolds-Park
https://www.cityofparagould.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Bland-Threlkeld-Baseball-Park-15
Socioeconomics
https://www.paragouldhousing.org/
https://www.missionoutreachnea.com/
https://crdcnea.org/services-programs/human-services/utility-assistance
https://www.christopherhomesofarkansas.org/locations
Access to Care
https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/contact-us/county-office-map/?_sft_counties=greene
https://www.burchfieldfamilymedicine.com/
https://1stchoice-ar.org/locations/paragould/
Change Form
To update or add information, complete the form below
Name of Organization:
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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Contact Name:
Phone #: Fax #:
Email:
Web page:
Mailing Address:
List services:
Please describe your organization’s purpose, services, etc.
Submit updated information to:
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center Marketing Department - [email protected]
900 West Kingshighway | Paragould, AR 72450 | 870.239.7000 | myammc.org
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Community Health Needs Assessment
for Greene County
Completed in partnership with:
