Primary healthcare access concerns, Trumbull & Mahoning Community Health Assessment results

Access to primary healthcare was listed as Trumbull and Mahoning County residents' top concern in the recently released 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA). 45 percent of respondents stated that access to healthcare is the most pressing need in their communities. 

The survey found that 23 percent of Mahoning residents and 24 percent of Trumbull residents did not have a routine checkup in the past year. 

In addition to the county-wide survey, the assessment also narrowed in on several focus groups.

Among the African American focus group for Mahoning County, some of the top health issues included a lack of preventative care, improper hospital care, costly medications, high crime and insurance limitations; this focus group also highlighted that many are forced to choose between healthcare and necessities, the CHA draft stated.

An additional focus group within rural Trumbull County found that residents have experienced a decline in the quality of care received from health providers since the COVID-19 pandemic; CHA respondents specifically noted physician burnout and doctors leaving local practices.

Several key health barriers brought to light by the CHA include health literacy challenges among the disabled community, provider shortages and technology barriers for older adults.

Dan Bonacker, the accreditation coordinator for the Trumbull County Board of Health, told 21 News that he envisions there will be multiple iterations of the CHA, as the county boards discuss the results and take public feedback into account. The CHA will be directly informing the upcoming Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), Bonacker added.

"We are hoping to finalize everything and develop a community health plan going forward," Bonacker said.

An official from Mahoning County's Board of Health emphasized the importance of the CHA being community-driven and community-focused as the counties assess next steps.

The public health boards will be meeting July 30 to discuss the preliminary findings of the CHA and discuss the future of community health for Mahoning and Trumbull.