One of the ACA's requirements is that non-profit hospitals conduct a community health needs assessment every three years. The assessment is designed to "evaluate the existing healthcare landscape" according to a release.

Three Central Pennsylvania healthcare organizations just completed an assessment for this area. Holy Spirit Health System, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and PinnacleHealth System collaborated for the report.

In general terms, what the assessment found is that the region "needs additional information and services that promote healthy lifestyles and make health education and healthcare easier to access."

The assessment also found that downtown Harrisburg has one of the highest rates of uninsured residents in the state and that children in Dauphin, Lebanon, and Perry Counties were above the state rate of obesity.

Appearing on Thursday September 20th's Radio Smart Talk program to discuss the assessment findings are Barbara Terry, Vice President for Mission Effectiveness with PinnacleHealth and Judy Dillon, Community Outreach Coordinator at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

Listen to program: