Daviess Community Hospital has released its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, outlining the top challenges facing local residents and beginning work on an implementation plan to address them. The assessment, based on 247 survey responses, identified mental health, affordability issues such as wages, housing and food, and substance use as the most pressing concerns. Other needs included higher-paying jobs, affordable housing, youth mental health services, and education to prevent drug use. CEO Justin Harris said the report provides a clear, data-driven picture of community needs and will serve as a roadmap for action with local partners. The full report is available at dchosp.org or in print at the hospital’s main lobby.
Key findings at a glance
- 247 total survey responses (46 face‑to‑face).
- Majority demographics: 64.3% from ZIP 47501; 67.5% female; 94% White; largest respondent age band 57–67 (23.9%).
- Top community negative impacts (5‑point scale):
- Use of illegal drugs/substances (1.85)
- Suicide (2.23)
- After‑hours/weekend transportation (2.26)
- Homelessness (2.32)
- Cost of healthy foods (2.32).
- Top needs:
- Higher‑paying jobs (4.29)
- Affordable, quality housing (4.00)
- Mental health services for youth (4.00)
- Education to prevent illegal substance use (3.97)
- Additional funding for programs and services (3.95).
- Priority areas for action:
- Mental Health
- Affordability (wages, housing, food)
- Substance Use.
The 2025 findings build on prior assessments. In 2019, illegal/prescription drug misuse, mental/behavioral health, and affordable housing ranked high, and in 2022, stigma around mental health services, affordable housing, and homelessness were prominent. The new report provides updated context, trends, and a roadmap for action.
“Staying at the forefront of identifying and addressing community health needs is central to our mission,” Harris added. “This report is a roadmap—and our next step is turning it into action.”
The full CHNA report is available on the hospital’s website at dchosp.org Printed copies are available upon request at the hospital’s main‑lobby front desk.
