Enhancing Adolescent and Young Adult Health Services! A Review of the Community Needs Assessment Process in an Urban Federally Qualified Health Center

Abstract

Background: Urban African American adolescents and young adults (AYAs) face multiple barriers to effective engagement in health care, including access to primary and specialty care services resulting in significant disparities in care. Purpose: To conduct a needs assessment to enhance service delivery of AYAs at an urban federally qualified health center (FQHC) organization in Detroit. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted among pediatric staff members (N = 11) using the community needs assessment approach specified for FQHCs. Results: The needs assessment determined the following priorities for AYAs seeking care at this FQHC organization: (1) mental health (e.g., depression and anxiety), (2) obesity, and (3) sexual health (e.g., sexually transmitted infection testing). Conclusion: When analyzing a population to learn about community-based issues, a needs assessment is a valuable tool. The information here has been used as supplemental information to address the health inequities that African American youth face within Detroit.

A scoping review of community health needs and assets assessment: concepts, rationale, tools and uses

“…None of the papers reviewed provided a specific definition for CHNAA. In general, reviewed papers defined CHNAA as: A collaborative, community-engaged, systematic, ongoing, continuous, proactive, comprehensive, cyclical, regular, modifying method or process [ 28 , 33 , 69 , 92 , 94 – 98 ]; For the identification, collection, assembly, analysis, distribution, and dissemination of information on key health needs, social needs, concerns, problems, gaps, issues, factors, capabilities, strengths, assets, resources; About communities (or individuals) [ 21 , 23 , 28 , 31 , 33 , 37 , 41 , 45 , 54 , 79 , 89 , 94 – 97 , 99 – 102 ]; To achieve agreed priorities, create a shared vision, plan actions, garner resources, engage stakeholders, work collaboratively, establish relationships, implement culturally appropriate, multi-sectoral/multilevel intervention strategies, empower residents and enhance community capacity and participation in decision-making process [ 12 , 13 , 20 , 27 , 28 , 37 , 45 , 70 , 79 , 89 , 91 , 92 , 94 , 95 , 97 – 99 , 101 – 104 ]; Towards improving health and wellbeing, building and transforming health of the communities, increasing community benefits, reducing inequalities; Through which primary/secondary healthcare can respond to local and national priorities [ 20 , 23 , 28 , 40 , 51 , 59 , 69 , 97 , 103 , 105 , 106 ].…”

Young Men’s Health Matters: Implementing a Community-Academic Partnership in an Urban Federally Qualified Health Center

“…DCHC had identified the issue of men’s health, with a specific emphasis on young Black men, as a need in the community prior to the project development via a community needs assessment conducted in January 2019. 11 CAB members were recruited from community advocacy groups, community-based organizations, and DCHC-affiliated health centers using flyers, email, social media, and word-of-mouth strategies. These efforts were overseen by the Director of Outreach at DCHC.…”

“…A prior needs assessment was performed to enhance the service delivery of adolescents and young adults at this organization. 11 During that time, it was found that approximately 900 adolescents and young adults accessed care at just one of their specialty clinics. Of these, 95% were Black and 80% were female.…”

“…14 The results from this assessment served as a guideline to promote the development of efficacious, community-driven, and culturally responsive interventions with Black youth, with an emphasis on this population to reduce gaps in care and, as a result, birthed the Young Men’s Health Matters Program (YMHM). 11 …”

“…14 The results from this assessment served as a guideline to promote the development of efficacious, community-driven, and culturally responsive interventions with Black youth, with an emphasis on this population to reduce gaps in care and, as a result, birthed the Young Men's Health Matters Program (YMHM). 11 The impetus to make this happen started with building a community-academic partnership which was spearheaded by three initial community forums to aid in the development of YMHM. Ultimately, this is the first of a series of papers that will report on the process of forming and outcomes of the program and its impact on health disparities and a marginalized group within an urban setting (Detroit).…”