New Hanover County Health Department officials are trying to get 3,500 residents by Sept. 30 to fill out a survey about their opinions on topics such as health care access and available resources in the community.

The survey, which the health department does every three or four years, is anonymous for participants and is part of “a larger health planning process to identify the health status, disparities, gaps and unmet needs of the community in balance with community resources, strengths and perceptions,” officials said.

The results will provide information to area health leaders, providers and policy makers, according to a message from the health department.

“The data will be used to conduct local health needs assessments, set agendas for local health action, measure the impact of efforts to reduce health disparities, and ensure that the local health system can respond quickly and  effectively to the emerging health needs of all New Hanover County residents,” officials said.

The health department is collaborating with University of North Carolina Wilmington to conduct the survey, which is available online at SurveyNHC.com or in print form at the county’s library branches.