CHI Tompkins Shares Community Health Survey Results
Published on June 11, 2025
In February 2025, Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) launched its Community Health Survey, which provided the community with an opportunity to participate in the Tompkins County Community Health Improvement process (CHI Tompkins). The CHI Tompkins process aims to get a picture of the health of our community and identify priorities and interventions to address health-related challenges. The Community Health Survey was open to Tompkins County residents, ages 18 and over. Over 1,800 residents completed the survey.
A summary of the Community Health Survey results can be viewed on our website and more detailed analysis will be included in the Community Health Assessment in December 2025. Some key findings of the survey include:
- Affordable healthcare, affordable safe housing, and a clean environment were identified as the 3 most important factors that create a healthy community.
- Medical expenses, housing costs, and utility bills were noted as causing the most financial challenges. Stress and anxiety about meeting these basic needs were most common among younger respondents (ages 18-34).
- Mental health challenges were most common among younger respondents (ages 18-34). Nearly half of all of those reporting mental health challenges shared that they are engaged with community resources to address their needs.
- Respondents experiencing financial challenges rated their physical and mental health lower than respondents who were not facing these challenges.
TCWH’s Director of Health Promotion Samantha Hillson stated, “The survey feedback provided valuable information about the interests and needs of the community. Much of the data in the survey also confirms many of the challenges we are aware of in our community. The survey is one source of information considered during the community health improvement process, along with many other data points. We thank those in the community who participated in the survey and look forward to other opportunities for the community to be involved.”
Community Health Survey results are incorporated into the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), a local-level, community-informed outline for addressing priority health areas in Tompkins County. TCWH, along with Cayuga Health and other community partners, reviews the CHIP annually with community stakeholders, and conducts a county-wide Community Health Assessment Survey every 3-5 years.
The survey built off previous community engagement conducted earlier in the CHI Tompkins process, where community members shared their ideas for our Community Health Vision and Community Partner Assessment. The Community Health Survey was part of the second phase of the CHI Tompkins process, “Tell the Community Story.” A timeline for the process can be viewed on the website and resources will continue to be added, culminating with the publishing of the CHIP in 2026.
Staff from TCWH will be present at a variety of community events and locations throughout the county to discuss findings.
- Southside Community Center’s Juneteenth Block Party (305 S. Plain St., downtown Ithaca) – Saturday, June 14th, 12pm-6pm
- Dryden Dairy Day (Montgomery Park, Dryden) - Saturday, June 14th, 10am-3pm
- Pride in the Park (Dewitt Park, downtown Ithaca) - Sunday, June 15th, 10am-6pm
- Ithaca YMCA Community Resource Hub (50 Graham Rd, Ithaca) - Monday, June 16, 12pm-2pm
- Cayuga Health Weekly Wellness (Ithaca Community Gardens, Carpenter Circle, downtown Ithaca) - Tuesday, June 17, 5:30pm-6:30pm
- Groton Community Resource Hub (Groton Public Library, 112 E. Cortland St., Groton) - Tuesday, June 24, 12pm-2pm
For more information on CHI Tompkins, including a process timeline, 2024 recap, resources and more, visit our webpage: Community Health Improvement - Tompkins County | Tompkins County.
Tompkins County Whole Health: envisioning a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find us online at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Sign up to receive Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text.
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