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FDRHPO Releases Findings of 10th Annual Community
Health Survey
Published: September 09, 2025
at 11:45 a.m.
By: Press Release from Fort Drum Regional Health
Planning Organization (FDRHPO)
FDRHPO Releases Findings of 10th Annual
Community Health Survey
2025 survey includes several updates to reflect the
2025–2030 New York State Prevention Agenda
Watertown, NY – The 10th
Annual Community Health Survey of Adult Residents in Jefferson, Lewis, and
St. Lawrence counties has been completed for 2025. This year’s
participation reached 1,497 individuals across the region, resulting in an
average margin of error of ±2.9%. To date, 17,188 individuals have
participated since the first survey in 2016.
Each year, the
Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) conducts a
Community Health Survey to better understand the health behaviors,
concerns, and needs of residents across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence
counties. The 2025 survey includes several updates to reflect the 2025–2030
New York State Prevention Agenda, and its emphasis on social determinants
of health (SDoH). New questions were added this
year to explore issues like financial strain, housing insecurity,
caregiving responsibilities, childhood adversity, and the impact of social
media.
Survey questions
are developed and updated annually by North Country Health Compass
Partners, a group that includes representatives from Jefferson, Lewis, and
St. Lawrence County public health departments, hospitals, healthcare
facilities, behavioral health clinics, and a wide range of community-based
organizations dedicated to community wellness. Some questions stay the same
from previous years, while others are newly created each year to address
current needs.
“The Community
Health Survey is a resource that our stakeholders look forward to each year,”
said Kayla Quinn, Population Health Coordinator at Fort Drum Regional
Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO). “The data collected and released showcases
the health needs of the community, and we can tailor the survey questions from
year to year as we monitor health trends from previous years. It’s a
valuable resource for our partners and our communities.”
Key findings:
·
A majority (62%) of respondents reported that they
trust local doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers the most when it
comes to health information, surpassing medical websites, social media,
friends and family, or national news outlets.
·
Nearly half of all respondents (50%) reported at
least one healthcare access issue in the past year, with long wait times to receive an appointment (45%) cited as the
top challenge.
·
Preventive screenings are the highest rates observed
to date, with 85% of adults (ages 45-75) reporting having had a colorectal
cancer screening and 80% of women (ages 40-75) having received a mammogram
within the recommended timelines.
·
When asked to rate their physical, dental, and mental
health, only 35% of adults rated their physical health as “excellent” or
“very good”. This is the lowest level recorded in the eight years this
question has been asked.
·
Traditional cigarette use has declined to 11%, down from
17% in 2021, while vaping has risen to 9%, up from a low of 8.4% in that
same year.
·
Roughly 28% of adults reported providing at least one
hour of unpaid care to an aging or disabled family member or friend.
Approximately 12% reported providing 10 or more hours per week, with 5%
providing over 40 hours.
·
When asked if they could cover an unexpected $500
expense without borrowing or using a credit card, 51% of respondents said
they were “very confident”, while 28% said they were not confident.
·
One in four adults (25%) reported having experienced
three or more Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, neglect,
or household dysfunction during childhood. Crosstab analysis shows
significant links between high ACEs scores and poorer mental and physical
health outcomes.
·
75% of respondents said that social media or
smartphone use interferes with quality time, work, or daily priorities at
least “sometimes”, with 47% saying it happens “often” or “very often”.
“The
annual Community Health Survey (CHS) helps turn local
data into meaningful action. For example, past survey responses
identified gaps in colorectal and breast cancer screening rates across the
region. In response to this, we collaborated with local partners to
implement targeted outreach and programming, leading to improved screening
rates over time.”
Mr. Fontana continued,
“Colorectal cancer screening rates among adults 45 and older improved
significantly in recent years, climbing from 66% in 2022 to 85% in 2025,
thanks to targeted community outreach and education
efforts. Mammography screening has also shown steady improvement over
the past several years, with overall screening rates among women 18 and
older rising by 24% between 2018 and 2024."
Now in its 10th
year, the annual Community Health Survey results continue to provide
valuable data on community health perceptions and behaviors, helping
stakeholders monitor health trends as residents establish their regular
healthcare routines. These new insights will directly inform upcoming
Community Health Assessments (CHAs) and Community Health Improvement Plans
(CHIPs), helping regional stakeholders identify disparities, align
resources, and target the most pressing health needs of North Country residents.
“The insights
gained from the Community Health Survey are invaluable. This data not only
highlights the unique challenges our rural communities face but also
empowers stakeholders to develop targeted, effective solutions that address
the specific health-related needs of Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence
counties,” said Pat Fontana, Deputy Director at FDRHPO. “Our goal is to
leverage these findings to make informed decisions that will improve health
outcomes across the region.”
Questions and
comments can be directed here. For
a full copy of the 2025 Community Health Survey, follow this link.
For additional
information, please contact Kayla Quinn by emailing kquinn@fdrhpo.org.
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