News
To perform a comprehensive assessment of community issues and healthcare needs of the Meadows New Foundation service region, Dr. McLendon completed a series of interviews, reviewed published community needs assessment research, and hosted a targeted focus group to assist with the future development of policies ad procedures for grant-making opportunities within the organization.

Georgia Foundation Interviews
Seven interviews with administrators of select Charitable Foundations statewide were completed. These Non-profit Foundations were established as conversion foundations since they received funding after selling a local hospital or healthcare system.  Information on organizational structure, grant-making policies and procedures, funding priorities, and guidelines for grant applications and reporting were shared.  The information will be used in strategic planning for the Meadows New Foundation Grant Program Development.

 Community Health Needs Assessment Research
The total population of the Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler Counties region is 50,753. Published Public Health Surveys indicate contributors to poor health include:

• Poor nutrition and increased rates of obesity

• Poverty, lower socio-economic status

• Lack of transportation

• Lack of Health Knowledge

• Poor compliance with Medical Advice

• Poor access to specialty care

• Concerns regarding mental health and access to quality care

• Substance Abuse

• Teen Pregnancy

• Chronic Disease Increases (Heart Disease, Diabetes, Cancer)

• Increase in the Hispanic population (concerns for access to health care, language barriers, high rates of uninsured)

• Lack of access to dental care

• Large population of seniors

• Increased rates of Tobacco use since 2015

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Top reason for deaths in the region

1. Motor Vehicle Accidents

2. Cardiovascular Disease

3. Alzheimer's Disease

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Additionals Issues of Concern 

1. Increasing Teen Pregnancy Rates in Toombs County (18.3% vs. Georgia percentage of 11.1%).; High incidence of Low Birthweight Infants in Toombs County (9.1% vs. Georgia at 10%)

2. Toombs County Violent Crimes rate is 8.3 vs. Georgia's rate of 4.8

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Community Focus Group

Dr. McLendon organized a community Focus Group on January 12, 2023.  A multidisciplinary group of community leaders and consumers attended a video conference to discuss community strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the Toombs, Montgomery, and Wheeler County regions. There is a growing concern regarding the homeless population within Toombs County. Central themes of the session focused on an increased need for mental health services with acute and long-term support programs, public transportation, increased access to specialty care with the incorporation of advanced telehealth technology to allow care closer to home, as well as improving after-hours medical clinics to meet the needs of the working community, families, and non-emergent situations.