LEWISTOWN — Geisinger will begin a community-wide assessment of health needs this week, seeking input from residents across central Pennsylvania, including the Lewistown area.

The health system announced it will launch its triennial Community Health Needs Assessment on Monday, in collaboration with other regional hospital systems. The effort is designed to better understand the health and well-being of residents, identify key challenges and highlight community strengths.

As part of the process, Geisinger will again partner with Allied Services Integrated Health System to gather and analyze data across the region.

The assessment will incorporate information from sources such as the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Anne E. Casey Foundation and the U.S. Census Bureau, along with feedback collected directly from community members.

The assessment will be conducted by Build Community, a Lancaster-based firm that works with health care providers, government agencies and community organizations to identify disparities and develop strategies to improve health outcomes.

Nonprofit hospitals are required to complete a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years and develop plans to address the most pressing issues identified. The process is intended to broaden the focus of hospitals beyond clinical care to include broader community health concerns.

The upcoming assessment will be conducted throughout 2026 and will guide planning for the next cycle, which runs from Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2029. The current assessment period continues through the end of 2026.