HEALTH IN FOCUS

When the people tasked with keeping us healthy ask how they can help, the answer can make a lot of difference. That’s the hope of the 2015 Community Needs Assessment, undertaken by the Sangamon County Department of Public Health, St. John’s Hospital and Memorial Health System in Springfi eld. More than 780 people – mostly women – responded to the survey, identifying mental health, child abuse, excess weight and access to care as their biggest concerns. Now, Memorial and St. John’s are working with the Enos Park Neighborhood Improvement Association to address those issues and others. The organizations plan to hold three focus groups in the Enos Park neighborhood later this month to fl esh out the results of the survey and fi nd meaningful solutions. The fi rst meeting will focus on general “stakeholders,” while the second will address issues specifi c to senior citizens and the third will deal with issues common to young parents. The meetings are scheduled for 1 p.m. on Jan. 20 at Suzy Q’s Restaurant, 716 E. Enos St., 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 22 at Kumler United Methodist Church, 600 N. Fifth St., and 2 p.m. on Jan. 24 at Third Presbyterian Church, 1030 N. Seventh St.