Northern Kentucky health assessment seeks input on access to care, mental health needs
byMeghan Mongillo & Kevin Delaney, WKRC
Fri, August 14, 2026 at 7:53 PM
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The Northern Kentucky Community Health Assessment is currently being conducted to help the Northern Kentucky Health Department and community partners collect data on the region’s biggest needs and shape public health policy. The survey is conducted every five years. (WKRC)
CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Access to health care and more support for mental health conditions are among the top concerns local health officials want Northern Kentucky residents to weigh in on as a regional health survey gets underway
The Northern Kentucky Community Health Assessment is currently being conducted to help the Northern Kentucky Health Department and community partners collect data on the region’s biggest needs and shape public health policy. The survey is conducted every five years
The Northern Kentucky Community Health Assessment is currently being conducted to help the Northern Kentucky Health Department and community partners collect data on the region’s biggest needs and shape public health policy. The survey is conducted every five years. (WKRC, Provided)
“The assessment itself is an assessment to identify the top health concerns, barriers in the community, both personal and community health concerns and then opportunities for improvement,” said Rachel Laxton, planning manager at the Northern Kentucky Health Department
Health department officials said current priorities include access to health care, support for mental health and treatment for people with substance use disorder. They said ensuring residents can get care, including preventative screenings, is important
The Northern Kentucky Community Health Assessment is currently being conducted to help the Northern Kentucky Health Department and community partners collect data on the region’s biggest needs and shape public health policy. The survey is conducted every five years. (WKRC)
“I think health care access being one of the priorities will probably continue. It is a very important aspect of overall quality of life,” Laxton said
The health department has brought programs to areas with the greatest need, including distributing free fruits and vegetables. “We do have areas within Northern Kentucky where we may not have access, good access to fresh fruits and vegetables and at an affordable cost,” said Stephanie Vogel, director of population health for the Northern Kentucky Health Department
The department also shares rem aimed at helping schools that have seen an increase in students vaping
“Schools unfortunately have a lot of vapes that they find on the grounds or they find with students and they need to get rid of them because they are hazardous material,” Vogel said
The health assessment survey is available online through Sept. 11 and is confidential. After the survey closes, the health department and community partners will meet to discuss the results and determine next steps
“The next thing that we do after we’ve got those priority area is we work with our partners at the table and in the community to determine what strategies do we need to lay out so that everyone can move forward towards those priority areas,” Vogel said
Residents can also take the survey in person at Local 12’s Northern Kentucky Community Day from noon to 3 p.m. next Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Turfway Park in Florence. The event will offer rearticipate in the survey can also be entered to win a $50 gift card
