COMMUNITY SERVICE PLAN
Flushing Hospital Medical Center (FHMC or Flushing Hospital), established in 1884, serves a
culturally diverse, densely populated, urban area spanning 48 zip codes. FHMC’s primary
service area includes 14 zip codes located throughout Queens Community Districts 3 (East
Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and North Corona), 4 (Corona, Corona Heights, Elmhurst, and
Lefrak City), and 7 (Auburndale, Bay Terrace, College Point, East Flushing, Flushing,
Queensboro Hill, and Whitestone), as well as zip codes 11377 and 11378. 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.
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 FHMC 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 FHMC’s primary service area, while illustrating the diversity of population-level
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. FHMC 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 FHMC service area and in New York City
(NYC) overall. FHMC 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 that offers 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, FHMC has focused on improving tobacco cessation rates. The Hospital was
awarded Gold Star Status from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s
(DOHMH) 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: