Community Health Needs Assessment
Community Health is not just the physical health of individuals living within a geographic area, it is the intersection of physical health, mental health, economic health, and social support that impacts the ability for individuals, businesses, and the community at-large to thrive. When needs are not being met in any one of these areas, the “health” of the community is at jeopardy.
Communities need to complete a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), a process to develop astrategic plan to improve community health and wellness, every 3 to 5 years. Federal and StateGovernments, Community Hospitals and Health Centers, Safety-Net Clinics, Community Dental Clinics,County Health Departments, and Community Development Organizations complete a CHNA for planning,funding, and achieving positive outcomes.