History

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health created Community Health Network Areas (CHNAs) in May 1992. A CHNA is a local coalition of public, non-profit, and private sectors. Continuous improvement of health status is the goal of each partnership between the Department, service providers, local health departments, consumers and residents of the general public in the contiguous towns. The Coalition for a Healthy Greater Worcester is CHNA 8, which is comprised of Worcester, Paxton, West Boylston, Boylston, Shrewsbury, Leicester, Millbury, Auburn, Grafton, and Holden.

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Mission

 

To promote the shared learning, reflection, and broad engagement that improves community decision-making, health, and well-being for residents of Greater Worcester.

 

To further its mission, Healthy Greater Worcester, CHNA 8 will work together to:

• Build and maintain the CHNA participation, ensuring that it is universally inclusive and representative of the diverse organizations, agencies, and CHNA 8 residents;

• Create opportunities for networking between people and organizations within the CHNA;

• Educate, raise awareness, and find solutions to health issues that affect quality of life;

• Provide guidance to CHNA towns in their efforts to assess gaps and assets;

• Develop, implement, and evaluate initiatives, events, projects and policies that address areas of common interest to the CHNA 8 members; and

• Mobilize the community to advocate for health in all policies and ensure implementation through effective program models and best practices.

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