Determining community priorities as they align with the potential SDOH Accelerator Plan strategies in Muskingum County. - The Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department (ZMCHD) is situated in southeastern Ohio, and Muskingum County is designated as an Appalachian County by the federal government. The total population of Muskingum County is 86,183 and currently ranks 65 out of 88 in Community Health Rankings. In general, this Appalachian region exhibits lower employment rates and income levels, higher poverty rates for adults and children, and lower educational achievement. The City of Zanesville is the largest in the county with a population of 24,465 and serves as the county seat. Zanesville exhibits the following conditions and demographics: high concentrations of the total county population, retail establishments, community service agencies, and a target population of low socioeconomic status (SES). Within Zanesville, Census Tracts 9114, 9117, 9119, 9121, and 9122 have been identified by the Ohio Health Improvement Zone (OHIZ) project as being the most vulnerable and burdened areas in the county due to higher rates of poverty and unemployment, and lower median incomes compared to the county and state. In some cases, poverty and unemployment rates are two to three times higher than the county and state rates, demonstrating extreme need in the area. The target population for this grant will include individuals in Muskingum County of low SES, with special attention to those who live in census tracts 9114, 9117, 9119, 9121, and 9122. These tracts have high social vulnerability indexes, higher rates of poverty and unemployment, and lower income when compared to the rest of the county and state. These census tracts also have high chronic disease rates, old and unsafe housing conditions, limited transportation, un-walkable and un-bikeable neighborhoods, and extremely limited access to parks and green spaces. Residents of the county have also noted that a lack of access to organized recreational activities is a pressing problem for the community. The purpose of ZMCHD’s work under this grant will be to increase collaboration and engagement across multisectoral partners and complete an implementation ready Social-Determinants of Health (SDOH) Accelerator Plan. ZMCHD will increase collaboration through the creation of a new Leadership Team, consisting of a wide range of community partners, to improve built environments and social connectedness in Muskingum County, Ohio. The Leadership Team will consist of ZMCHD, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Genesis Healthcare System, the Muskingum County Library System, Job and Family Services, the Senior Center, Southeastern Area Transit (SEAT), Muskingum Valley Park Districts, Muskingum University, and Central State University Extension Office. To engage with the target population, ZMCHD will hold a series of focus groups with residents to determine community priorities as they align with the potential SDOH Accelerator Plan strategies.
