Using Community Health Needs Assessments to Improve Population Health

Is Health Determined by Genetic Code or Zip Code? Measuring the Health of Groups and Improving Population Health

“…Often community health needs assessments are carried out in concert with local health departments, which must meet a similar requirement to be accredited by the state [12]. In a commentary in this issue, Reed and Fleming [13] explain how community health needs assessments can contribute to improving population health. Collaborations like the ones they describe almost certainly foreshadow new strategic possibilities for creating a culture of health; the power for positive change will be multiplied if the system that acts to improve the health of individuals and specific groups works synergistically with the system that labors to improve overall population health.…”

Qualitative Analysis of Newborn Hearing Screening Program in Iran

“…In the study of Joy et al, it was found that prioritization should be included in the development of programs based on several criteria, including population, the area covered, the rate of morbidity, the type and prevalence of the disease, and available equipment and beds. Also, factors such as local customs and culture are also influential in this matter ( 21 ).…”

Local Health Department and Hospital Collaboration Around Community Health Needs Assessment to Improve Health Outcomes

“…Collaboration around CHNA provides an opportunity to identify community needs, target high-risk or high-need populations, create more meaningful population health-related initiatives, and promote sharing of data and other resources. 16,[37][38][39] Bias et al 38 comparing 3 completed health needs assessment by stakeholders and the general population in 3 communities in West Virginia found that community input in the completion of CHNA provided additional information on the needs of the community, otherwise overlooked, and influenced the appropriate implementation strategies or plans. Similarly, Powell and colleagues 40 in their study found that mental health was one of the main health needs identified following the completion of CHNAs by nonprofit hospitals in Philadelphia.…”

“…Possible mechanisms through which collaboration around CHNA between LHDs and nonprofit hospitals could affect community-level health care use and health outcomes can only be speculative. Collaboration around CHNA provides an opportunity to identify community needs, target high-risk or high-need populations, create more meaningful population health-related initiatives, and promote sharing of data and other resources 16,37–39. Bias et al38 comparing 3 completed health needs assessment by stakeholders and the general population in 3 communities in West Virginia found that community input in the completion of CHNA provided additional information on the needs of the community, otherwise overlooked, and influenced the appropriate implementation strategies or plans.…”