1. Home
    2.    
  2. Community Service Plan

Jamaica Hospital Medical Center (JHMC), established in 1891, serves a culturally diverse, densely populated, urban area spanning 37 zip codes. JHMC’s primary service area (PSA) includes 17 zip codes located throughout Queens Community Districts 9 (Kew Gardens; Ozone Park; Richmond Hill; and Woodhaven), 10 (Howard Beach, Ozone Park, and South Ozone Park), and 12 (Hollis; Jamaica; Jamaica Center; Rochdale; South Jamaica; and St. Albans), as well as Brooklyn Community District 5 (Cypress Hills and East New York). In many of these communities, the effects of poverty on health, including difficulty obtaining nutritious food, unemployment, and the burden of high rents, are high, particularly in Brooklyn CD 5 neighborhoods.
Chronic diseases, obesity, tobacco use, behavioral health concerns, maternal morbidity, and late or no prenatal care are among the health issues highlighted in the community level data analyses that JHMC conducted for this 2022-2024 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). These health concerns were also identified by residents of the Hospital’s service area who responded to a health needs assessment survey sponsored by a coalition of hospitals during the spring of 2022. As evidenced in the data and the survey responses, the social determinants of health (SDH) such as low educational attainment, unstable housing, poor physical conditions of neighborhoods, and low engagement in primary or preventative care and mental or behavioral health care, all contribute to the high incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases as well as poor health outcomes in some service area neighborhoods, while others perform better than NYC as a whole. The data analyses presented in this document provide a high-level snapshot of the health status of residents in JHMC’s primary service area, while illustrating the diversity of populationlevel health behaviors and outcomes across different Community Districts in the area. By highlighting these patterns on a neighborhood level, these data provide insight into the services and resources most needed by residents. JHMC has adopted a focus on SDH through a new initiative to document these issues in the medical record using a standardized format and to address them in partnership with local community-based organizations using a closed loop technology platform to ensure that all parties are kept abreast of the social service supports received by each patient.
Breastfeeding, which lowers the risk of death from infectious diseases in a child’s first two years of life and can reduce the risk of childhood obesity, asthma, and the risk of a woman developing breast or ovarian cancer, is unevenly practiced in the JHMC service area and in New York City (NYC) overall. JHMC has focused on improving rates of exclusive breastfeeding among women giving birth in the Hospital and those attending its ambulatory care centers with their infants, as well as among mothers in the community. The Hospital is designated as a Baby-Friendly USA Hospital offering an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother to baby bonding.

Tobacco use and secondhand smoke, as well as household/outdoor air pollution, were identified
as ongoing community health concerns that are correlated with chronic disease, such as asthma
and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well as cancer. Responding to the needs of the
community, JHMC has focused on improving tobacco cessation rates. The Hospital was
awarded Gold Star Status from the NYC DOHMH’s Tobacco-Free Hospitals Campaign in
recognition of its tobacco cessation programming and successes, and continues to comply with
the Campaign’s standards.

With the benefit of quantitative health status data at the local level and the community’s input
about their health concerns, the Hospital has chosen to highlight the prevalence of these
behaviors―breastfeeding and tobacco use―in its service area as well as the Hospital’s concerted
efforts to address them in its three-year comprehensive Community Service Plan and
Implementation Plan. These initiatives are in alignment with the New York State Prevention
Agenda Priorities and the Healthy People 2030 goals.

Full report can be obtained here:

Community Health Needs Assessment/Community Service and Implementation Plan 2022-2024