The MiThrive Health Needs Assessment (2024-2026) revealed multiple priorities in the northwest Michigan region that affect health outcomes, including access to healthcare, mental health, and economic security, among others.
“A lot of us are dealing with the same stuff. Around 10-12 years ago (health departments, hospital systems) came together to partner on this assessment and make it more cost-effective, leveraging the resources that we can to tailor the report to our own needs,” Benzie-Leelanau Health Officer Daniel Thorell said. “The assessment doesn’t necessarily drastically change our approach. What it does is validate where we need to spend our efforts to develop and seek grant funding for programs that would deal with some of the top health needs that are coming up.”
Hospital systems and other health agencies across northwest lower Michigan are required to perform an assessment every three years to gauge the well-being of local communities.
