Guided by local needs and strengthened by dedicated community partnerships, Mercy Health continues to advance health and well‒being across the communities it serves.

In the Mahoning Valley, the Community Health Education (CHE) program demonstrates how Mercy Health leverages comprehensive, data‒driven assessments — combined with direct input from community members and local stakeholders — to prioritize resources and deliver meaningful, measurable impact.

CHE programming is specifically designed to reach community members at risk of food insecurity and those who may have trouble accessing resources, putting them at risk for adverse health outcomes. In 2025, this program touched more than 3,000 members of the community through health screenings, preparation demos, cooking classes, healthy living education and community sponsored events.

The CHE program reflects our commitment to evidence‒based, community‒rooted solutions and is one of many initiatives featured in the Bon Secours Mercy Health 2025 Community Health Annual Report. This report showcases programs that address critical health and social challenges, from improving access to care and expanding nutrition security to supporting behavioral health, affordable housing, community safety and economic stability.

“Our goal is simple: build a healthier community, one person at a time by bringing care, education and support directly to those who need it most. With trusted partners across the region, we continue to reach underserved neighborhoods with screenings, preventive education and supportive programs guided by our Community Health Needs Assessment. As we move into 2026, we look forward to improving access, expanding our screening events and further advancing compassionate, community‒centered care,” said Leigh Greene, director of community health in Youngstown.

Mercy Health’s Community Health initiatives are informed by findings from Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA), Community Health Implementation Plans (CHIP) and the ministry’s Community Health Strategic Plan, ensuring that efforts remain aligned with the social determinants of health that most influence overall well‒being.

“Our Community Health programs are designed to directly respond to the needs we hear from our neighbors and see in our communities,” said Gina Napoli, interim vice president of Community Health. “By focusing on the social factors that most affect health — such as access to nutritious food, stable housing, reliable transportation and opportunities for connection — we’re able to support individuals and families in ways that make a real and lasting difference.”