Local health leaders propose focus on housing, drug use, improving care access

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Local health leaders say the Salem area needs to improve access to stable housing, break down barriers to health care and provide better resources for mental health and drug use treatment. 

That’s according to an assessment published Wednesday that found that, in the last five years, residents in Marion and Polk counties are experiencing more depression, chronic health conditions and homelessness.

The assessment collected information from over 2,000 people in Marion and Polk counties and combined it with research on local housing, crime and health care. The goal was to identify some of the largest health issues facing people.

The assessment, published April 15, identified the three largest issues as health care access, housing stability and resources for substance use and mental health.

Using results from a survey and focus groups, the assessment highlights how the three issues impact people in both counties.

“I am supporting my disabled mom, my two kids, and my sister in an old, manufactured home that I can’t afford the upkeep on. I am trying to find housing, but I can’t afford any of the current rates, not even close,” one survey respondent said.

The assessment was made by a group called the Marion-Polk Health Collaborative, which includes representatives from government and health agencies, hospital systems and community nonprofits. They’ll use the assessment to develop a five-year health improvement plan for agencies in Marion and Polk counties to follow.

Some of the agencies who contribute to the collaborative include Salem Health, PacificSource, Willamette Health Council and Marion and Polk county health departments.

The group met in February to discuss the assessment and brainstorm solutions to the three key issues.

Every five years, the group publishes a health improvement plan with proposed solutions for the three main issues identified in the assessment.

The previous plan, which was for 2021-2025 focused on substance abuse, housing and behavioral health. According to an online dashboard, several of the plan’s goals have been achieved, such as decreasing teen substance use and suicide rates.

Despite improvements in mental health and substance use, the issues continue to affect residents in Marion and Polk counties, particularly opioid and alcohol abuse.

“Oregon is one of, if not THE state with the highest mental health diagnoses for adults, yet we have the worst systems in the country to address it. Addiction (which is mental health) is affecting our housing community, our families, and the well-being of our community as a whole,” a survey respondent wrote.

The group’s next steps are to create local expert focus groups to discuss strategies and measures to improve housing, health care access and mental health and substance use.  

The new health plan, which will be for 2026-2030, is expected to be published in early 2026.

Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected].

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