Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department Releases 2025 Assessment Results
Submitted by WHIZ Intern Maddie Luebkert
Zanesville, OH- The Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department has released the results of the 2025 Community Health Assessment.
The health department conducts the Community Health Survey every three years. The results from the report shape the Community Health Improvement Plan. The plan, which will go into effect in January 2026, will create solutions to address the health needs of the survey respondents.
“The assessment data is really important because it identifies gaps and barriers in the community,” Community Health Planner Michelle Shroyer said. “From there our partners will review the information and that’s how we formulate our Community Health Improvement Plan, which will have projects to address those health priorities.”
In the survey, the department asked 374 respondents to prioritize their health needs. Some of the high priority needs respondents want to see addressed are access to mental healthcare, income and employment, adverse childhood experiences, nutrition and physical health and access to childcare.
Once a month, the Healthier Muskingum County Network meets to review the priorities of the survey. The network members represent the social determinants of health, and partner with the health department to make progress on the improvement plan.
“They meet usually on the third Thursday of every month,” Shroyer said. “It’s available to the community, (and) is a hybrid meeting so you can join online or in person. Each priority has a work group and coalition, so if you have a passion for a particular priority, whether that be behavioral health or education, you can get involved in those work groups and those particular projects that affect those health outcomes.”
The report is available for community members to review and make comments on until August 15. To find the report online visit zmchd.org/news or request a paper copy by visiting the office or contacting Community Health Planner Michelle Shroyer at 740-454-9741.
