Continuing the methodology described under the Community Health Assessment, Lawrence County Health Department convened community partner groups to synthesize the information obtained in the community health assessment process into strategic initiatives, goals, and objectives. Strategic issues represent underlying challenges that need to be addressed, which would lead to improvement in health conditions. Strategic issues should impact more than one health condition.

The group met on January 26, 2023. The group was given information from each of the assessments and organized into the Three Perspectives – data, organizational and individual.

Questions asked were:

  • Is the issue related to our community’s vision?
  • Will the issue affect our entire community?
  • Is the issue something that will affect us now and in the future?
  • Will the issue require us to change the way we function?
  • Is the solution to this issue not obvious?
  • To address the issue, do we need leadership support?
  • Are there long-term consequences of not addressing this issue?
  • Does the issue require the involvement of more than one organization?

From this information, the partners participated in a consensus building activity through which strategic initiatives emerged. Both national and state health improvement priorities were considered during the process.

Four priority issues were identified

On March 17, 2023, community partners met and created workgroups to focus on specific strategic initiatives and identified agencies/individuals to lead each workgroup. Groups identified resources currently available to address the issue and work that was already happening. Groups also identified potential barriers to addressing each issue. Goal statements were formed for each strategic issue with strategies for achieving each goal. Each workgroup is responsible for the implementation of these goals and objectives.

Three Rivers Medical Center and Lawrence County Health Department are the lead agencies for the Access to Healthcare and Preventive Services priority issue. Lawrence County Cooperative Extension Service and Lawrence County Health Department are the lead agencies for the Obesity priority issue. Pathways and Three Rivers Medical Center are the lead agencies for the Mental Health priority issue. Lawrence County Health Department is the lead agency for the Communication priority issue.