Community Health Assessments (CHAs)

Community health assessments (CHAs) are defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as:

“state, tribal, local, or territorial health assessments that identify key health needs and issues through systematic, comprehensive data collection and analysis.”

CHAs, also called community health needs assessments (CHNAs), can be used as tools to assess the health of communities and to design strategies and policies to address social determinants of health (SDOH). CHA findings can be used to promote change in communities and can help engage stakeholders to address community needs.

Nonprofit hospitals are required to conduct CHNAs every three years to identify problem areas and potential solutions for the community. Hospitals can use CHNAs to develop plans for addressing SDOH and other community needs identified. In some rural areas, hospitals are working together with local public health agencies to pool resources and expertise to conduct community health needs assessments. By working together, hospitals and public health agencies can help create shared goals for improving health and well-being in communities.

The rural community group model (RCGM) is a model that has been used successfully by Critical Access Hospitals in North Dakota to conduct CHNAs in rural areas of the state. This model gathers community input using multiple strategies, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups with community members and key informants, and by collecting secondary, county-level data.

Small rural hospitals may lack the resources needed to successfully address the issues identified through CHNAs. Therefore, rural partnerships or funding sources can be essential for funding future work to address SDOH. In some states, the State Office of Rural Health can provide leadership, funding, and technical assistance to help hospitals and local health departments complete CHNAs.

Resources to Learn More

Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES)
Website
Shares publicly designed and custom tools, maps, assessment tools, and reports that can be used by communities and professionals conducting CHNAs.
Organization(s): University of Missouri Extension

Community Health Needs Assessment
Website
Explains what a CHNA is, how it can be conducted, and briefly highlights how it can be used to understand the healthcare needs and priorities of rural communities. Shares individual hospital and public health CHNAs conducted throughout North Dakota, including examples of full reports and implementation plans.
Organization(s): Center for Rural Health, University of North Dakota