Trigg County Hospital Releases 2025 Community Needs Assessment

Key health challenges and priorities identified for the region

Feb. 27, 2026 at 10:19am

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Trigg County Hospital has released its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, which surveyed over 330 residents and conducted focus groups to identify the top health concerns and priorities for the region. The assessment found that high blood pressure, arthritis, mental health issues, diabetes, and obesity were the top health challenges, with access to healthcare, chronic disease development, and economic security cited as the biggest factors impacting community health.

Why it matters

As a non-profit entity, Trigg County Hospital is required by the IRS to regularly assess the health needs of the communities it serves. This data helps the hospital and local stakeholders identify key priorities and develop action plans to address the most pressing health issues facing residents.

The details

The 2025 assessment found that mental health, transportation, food insecurity, health education, and substance abuse were the top five priorities that emerged from the data. Compared to 2021, the assessment noted increases in arthritis, mental health issues, and obesity, while smoking and physical inactivity saw declines. The county also continues to face shortages in dental and mental health providers relative to the state average.

  • The Community Health Needs Assessment is conducted every three years by Trigg County Hospital.
  • The 2025 assessment data was released at the hospital's Board of Trustees meeting on February 26, 2026.

The players

Trigg County Hospital

A non-profit hospital that serves the Trigg County, Kentucky region and is required to complete a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years.

Melody Nall

A researcher from the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment who presented the 2025 assessment findings to Trigg County Hospital.

Mercedes Fraser

A researcher from the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment who presented the 2025 assessment findings to Trigg County Hospital.

Dr. Rex Booth

The Trigg County Superintendent who served on the 2025 assessment steering committee.

Shelley Crawford

The Trigg County Extension Agent who served on the 2025 assessment steering committee.

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What they’re saying

“Those surveyed were asked to select their top three health challenges either they, or someone in their household, was facing, and the top 10 overall, in order, were: High blood pressure, Arthritis and joint pain, Mental health issues, Diabetes, Weight concerns and obesity, Tobacco and vaping use, Heart disease and/or stroke, Cancer, Other, and Asthma and other respiratory and/or lung diseases.”

— Melody Nall, Researcher

“Nall noted the four biggest perceived reasons impacting health included access to food and healthcare, the development of chronic diseases and a lack of economic security. Transportation, or the lack thereof, she said, remains a legitimate concern on multiple fronts.”

— Melody Nall, Researcher

What’s next

An action plan to address the identified priorities will be revealed by Trigg County Hospital at a later date.

The takeaway

The 2025 Trigg County Community Health Needs Assessment highlights the region's ongoing challenges with chronic health conditions, mental health, and access to care, underscoring the importance of regular community assessments to guide hospital and stakeholder efforts to improve overall community wellness.