Community Health Assessments FAQs: Gauging the CHA’s community impact

How does a CHA improve health equity in communities and beyond?  

As county and municipal public health departments strive to understand and meet the unique needs of their populations, Community Health Assessments (CHAs) have become essential tools in guiding effective, data-driven healthcare. More than just a data collection effort, CHAs are pivotal in shaping public health priorities, addressing inequities and building lasting improvements in health outcomes across communities.  

This blog explores what CHAs are, the frequently asked questions around them and the transformative impact they have on healthcare systems and the communities they serve.  

What is a Community Health Assessment (CHA)? 

Defining CHA  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a Community Health Assessment (CHA) as a "state, tribal, local, or territorial health assessment that identifies key health needs and issues through systematic, comprehensive data collection, and analysis." 

The purpose of the CHA 

CHAs inform strategies and initiatives that directly address identified health concerns. They focus on factors such as chronic diseases, healthcare access, social determinants of health (SDOH) and other variables that shape communities' well-being. It’s also used to plan and lead the development of a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), updated every three to five years. It’s a “long-term, systematic effort to address public health problems based on the results of community health assessment activities and the community health improvement process." 

Frequently asked questions about CHAs 

1. Who conducts a Community Health Assessment?   

Public health departments, local hospitals, nonprofits and local government agencies often conduct and collaborate on these assessments. Their collaboration may also include a variety of community partners such as schools, businesses and other stakeholders, to gather and analyze data.  

2. How often are CHAs conducted?  

CHAs are usually conducted every three to five years, allowing public health departments and their collaborators to reassess community needs over time and adapt their programs and services accordingly.  

3. What data are collected in a CHA? 

Common data include information on chronic diseases, health behaviors, socioeconomic factors, environmental risks and access to healthcare. These data are collected through surveys, focus groups, listening sessions, key informant interviews, town halls and public health records, providing a holistic view of community health. 

4. Why should you include data collection methods in your Community Health Assessment toolkit? 

Data collection is essential for your CHA. You’ll want to have a mix of quantitative and qualitative data to leverage. Read our most popular CHA blog on key strategies to include in your toolkit.  

5. How do CHAs benefit healthcare systems?  

CHAs are especially helpful to public health departments and healthcare systems as they adapt their services to address pressing health issues, improve patient outcomes and maximize resource allocation. 

6. What is the goal of a CHA? 

By highlighting health access and outcomes disparities, CHAs guide public health departments and healthcare systems to create programs that promote equitable care, especially for underserved populations. 

7. What is the difference between a CHA and a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)?   

Both the CHA and the CHNA are a systematic process for collecting, analyzing and interpreting data on a community's health needs and resources. It's conducted by local health departments, healthcare systems and non-profits. 

Hospitals and health systems more specifically define a health assessment as a community health needs assessment or CHNA. In this instance, health systems are looking for not only unmet health needs, but also needs in terms of barriers to care. These barriers often manifest themselves in social determinants of health (SDH), e.g., non-medical issues such as access to affordable, nutritious foods, safe places to exercise, transportation and affordable housing.  

Years of research confirm that SDHs account for nearly 80 percent of health outcomes. Results of the CHNA research effort, which involves looking at secondary and primary data, lead to a community service plan (CSP). Hospitals are required by IRS regulations to file a CHNA and resulting CSP every three years to maintain their not-for-profit status. About a dozen states, including New York, also require hospitals to file a CHNA and CSP on a cyclic basis. Read our CHNA data reporting Q&A for a more in-depth discussion about the CHNA/CSP process. 

Explained in our Q&A on CHNA data reporting, not-for-profit hospitals and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) must conduct a CHNA every three years and implement strategies to address identified priority needs in the interim. Meanwhile, CHAs are typically voluntary and are conducted by public health departments and community stakeholders rather than hospital management.  

The broader impact of a Community Health Assessment 

1. Informing policy and funding priorities 

For public health departments, CHA findings can significantly shape public health policies and influence funding allocations at the local and state levels: 

• Advocating for resources: CHA data allows public health departments to advocate for funding and resources to address priority health needs, like mental health and substance abuse, creating a healthier community. 

• Supporting evidence-based policy making: Policies informed by CHA data are more likely to reflect real community needs, leading to impactful decisions like expanded access to healthcare in underserved regions. 

2. Building stronger community partnerships 

CHAs create a platform for collaboration among public health departments, healthcare systems, community organizations, local governments and other stakeholders: 

• Creating synergistic health solutions: With data from a CHA, stakeholders can develop comprehensive health programs that go beyond what any single organization could achieve alone. 

• Enhancing community trust and engagement: Engaging community members in the CHA process builds trust and promotes a sense of shared responsibility. When healthcare systems address community concerns directly, they strengthen relationships and support lasting health improvements. 

3. Tracking and measuring health outcomes 

CHAs offer a baseline for tracking health trends over time, providing public health departments and healthcare systems with critical insights into the effectiveness of their initiatives: 

• Monitoring program success: Conducting CHAs regularly (every three to five years) allows public health departments and healthcare systems to track progress on key health indicators, adjusting strategies as needed. 

• Promoting accountability and transparency: A CHA allows the public to hold public health departments and healthcare systems accountable for meeting health commitments, fostering transparency and trust. 
  
  

Leverage DataGen to collect and implement CHA data 

Community Health Assessments are more than data-gathering exercises; they are dynamic tools that drive community-wide health improvements and long-term health equity. By aligning healthcare resources with local needs, promoting health equity, informing policies and building partnerships, CHAs help public health departments and healthcare systems work together to create healthier, more resilient populations.  

Healthcare organizations and public health agencies can leverage CHA data to: 

• develop targeted services that meet specific needs within their community; 

• identify gaps in care and allocate resources effectively; 

• form partnerships with local organizations to create comprehensive health solutions; and 

• advocate for policies and funding that support sustainable health initiatives. 

Learn more about our DataGen CHA Advantage solution and how it can help create a culture of data-driven decision-making. Access a time-saving platform that supports the assessment objectives of MAPP* and PHAB’s** Domain 1 and Domain 5 standards for the public health agency sector. Contact us today and take the first step toward a stress-free CHA that includes customized surveys, final report templates and more. 

* Mobilization for Action through Planning and Partnerships is a strategic planning process created by the National Association of City and County Health Officers 
** Public Health Accreditation Board 

This content is for informational purposes only. It has been partially generated from an AI language model, which may not always be exhaustive or tailored to individual circumstances. We encourage you to contact one of our experts for more information. We assume no liability arising from any use of this content.