Samaritan Partners with Jefferson County Public Health Service for 2025-2030 Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan

Published on: February 3, 2026

Watertown, NY – Samaritan Medical Center is proud to contribute to Jefferson County’s 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA), Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), and Community Services Plan (CSP). This effort reflects a shared, countywide commitment to improving health and advancing equity. These plans were developed through a strong partnership among Jefferson County Public Health Service, Carthage Area Hospital, River Hospital, and Samaritan Medical Center, with leadership and planning support from the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization. Community partners and local stakeholders played an important role in shaping priorities and will continue to be involved as the plans are implemented.

The Community Health Assessment identifies key health needs, gaps, and available resources using data and direct community input. The CHIP and CSP build on those findings by outlining practical, evidence-based strategies to improve health outcomes and access to care. Together, these plans align with New York State’s 2025–2030 Prevention Agenda, which emphasizes prevention, health equity, and the social and economic factors that influence well-being.

For 2025–2030, Jefferson County will focus on priority areas including poverty, suicide prevention, tobacco and e-cigarette use, infant and maternal health, chronic disease prevention, oral healthcare, and health- and wellness-promoting schools. By working within a shared framework while addressing local needs, partners are taking coordinated action to strengthen community conditions and improve health and quality of life for all residents.