Message from the Public Health Director

June 2, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown the overwhelming reality that a public health threat can affect the whole world. For more than two years now, communities have been facing this global public health threat. With this pandemic we have witnessed profound impacts on health status across communities and within the worlds’ economic and political systems.

Despite all of this, public health workers across the nation and across the globe have stepped forward in these unimaginable circumstances by bringing the best science and public health recommendations to their communities on a daily basis throughout the course of this pandemic. What needs to be understood though is that public health did not do this alone, especially in the Cortland County community. The monumental support from our local health systems, physicians, community members, partners, community organizations, and local leaders all continue to play a part in helping to fight this pandemic.

As the community begins to return to a semblance of “normalcy” while we move through the next phase of this pandemic, it is important to once again take a look at all the health indicators that affect the health of our community members. The Cortland County Health Assessment and Improvement Plan 2022-2024 is a collaborative tool to help address the community’s priority health challenges.  

The Community Health Assessment presents demographic and health indicator data for Cortland County residents, while also examining the social determinants of health, existing assets and resources in the community. The Community Health Improvement Plan establishes specific focus areas and goals for health improvement by addressing chosen priority areas through a collaborative community process.

This collaborative document was developed by the Cortland County Health Department in partnership with Guthrie Cortland Medical Center. Input was also received from numerous community partners who will be involved in making sure that the chosen priority areas will be addressed over the next three years. I look forward to our continued partnership with Guthrie Cortland Medical Center, all our community partners, and the Cortland County residents in improving our community’s health.

Sincerely,

Nicole Anjeski, MS, MPH

Public Health Director

Partner Organizations

Cortland County Health Department and Guthrie Cortland Medical Center would like to thank the partner organizations that participated in the 2022-2024 Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Planning process and who are committed to the shared 2022-2024 community health goals for Cortland County. The process has involved many partner organizations from different community sectors. The partner organizations listed below participated in the prioritization of health focus areas for 2022-2024. Please see specific Community Health Improvement Plan strategies for a list of partners involved in implementation of the Community Health Improvement Plan.