2025 Children's of Alabmama Community Health Needs Assessment

CROSS-COMMUNITY THEMES

1. Healthcare Access and Transportation Across all settings, distance and lack of public transit remain major obstacles. Mobile clinics, telehealth, and transportation subsidies were frequently proposed solutions. 2. Mental and Behavioral Health Every group identified growing behavioral health concerns—anger, anxiety, trauma, and suicide risk—particularly among youth. The gap in accessible, stigma-free counseling is critical. 3. Family and Caregiver Strain Grandparents and single caregivers fill parental roles without resources or legal authority. Financial insecurity compounds these pressures. 4. Youth Risk and Safety Participants described increased exposure to drugs, guns, and sexual content at younger ages. Digital platforms amplify risk, yet schools and caregivers lack resources for prevention. 5. Education and Communication Participants called for factual, comprehensive sex education and culturally relevant health instruction. They urged stronger communication between schools, families, and health providers. 6. Community Engagement Local institutions—schools, clinics, churches, and libraries—are trusted but underfunded. Participants advocated for collaboration among these entities to coordinate outreach and support.

Children’s of Alabama, 2025 CHNA

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