Realising the potential of health needs assessments

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Anstey ◽  
Paul Burgess ◽  
Lisa Angus
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Needs Assessments

Population-level assessment and planning has traditionally been the role of public health departments but in establishing Primary Health Networks (PHNs), the Australian Government has instituted a new mechanism for identifying community needs and commissioning services to meet those needs. If PHNs are to achieve the vision of nimble organisations capable of identifying and addressing local health needs via integrated health and social services, several things need to occur. First, PHN funding schedules must become more flexible. Second, the Federal health department must maintain an open dialogue with PHNs, permit waivers in funding schedules to suit local conditions and be prepared to back innovations with seed investment. Third, health data exchange and linkage must be accelerated to better inform community needs assessments and commissioning. Finally, PHNs must be encouraged and supported to develop collaborations both within and outside the health sector in order to identify and address a broad set of health issues and determinants. By following these principles, PHNs may become leading change agents in the Australian healthcare system.

scholarly journals Community Needs Assessments in a Student-Run Clinic serving a West Philadelphia Neighborhood

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Arenas ◽  
Dania D. Hallak ◽  
Rommell Noche ◽  
Gilberto Vila-Arroyo ◽  
Swathi Raman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pap Smear ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Needs Assessments ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Healthcare Interventions ◽  
Local Healthcare

ABSTRACTBackgroundWhile Community Needs Assessments (CNAs) are an important tool for Student-Run Clinics (SRCs) to understand local communities’ healthcare needs, few studies have evaluated CNAs and their impact on care provided at SRCs.ObjectiveEvaluate results from two CNAs of an SRC in East Parkside, Philadelphia to better comprehend (1) community awareness and opinions regarding the SRC and (2) local healthcare concerns and access.Methods58 and 105 East Parkside residents were surveyed in 2011 and 2015 respectively. The results were analyzed to quantify various health-related measures in the community.ResultsResults showed high rates of hypertension, asthma, and diabetes. Rates of pap-smear and hypertension screening matched national averages while mammograms and colonoscopies were below national rates. Both CNAs showed that less than 40% of community members were aware of the clinic’s existence.ConclusionsCNAs can provide valuable insights regarding local health needs which can inform future healthcare interventions.

How Community and Public Health Partnerships Contribute to Disaster Recovery and Resilience

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 635-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joie D. Acosta ◽  
Lane Burgette ◽  
Anita Chandra ◽  
David P. Eisenman ◽  
Ingrid Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Storm Damage ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
Community Needs

AbstractObjectiveTo summarize ways that networks of community-based organizations (CBO), in partnership with public health departments, contribute to community recovery from disaster.MethodsThe study was conducted using an online survey administered one and 2 years after Hurricane Sandy to the partnership networks of 369 CBO and the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The survey assessed the structure and durability of networks, how they were influenced by storm damage, and whether more connected networks were associated with better recovery outcomes.ResultsDuring response and recovery, CBOs provide an array of critical public health services often outside their usual scope. New CBO partnerships were formed to support recovery, particularly in severely impacted areas. CBOs that were more connected to other CBOs and were part of a long-term recovery committee reported greater impacts on the community; however, a partnership with the local health department was not associated with recovery impacts.ConclusionCBO partners are flexible in their scope of services, and CBO partnerships often emerge in areas with the greatest storm damage, and subsequently the greatest community needs. National policies will advance if they account for the dynamic and emergent nature of these partnerships and their contributions, and clarify the role of government partners. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:635–643)

scholarly journals Vocational Bias: A Potential Pitfall in the Use of Key Informant Interviews in Pediatric Community Needs Assessments

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 502-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Northrip ◽  
Candice Chen ◽  
Jennifer Marsh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Needs Assessment ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Health Care Setting ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Needs Assessments ◽  
Care Workers

Key informants are individuals with insight into a community or a problem of interest. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of the employment type of key informants on the outcome of a pediatric needs assessment for an urban community. Twenty-one interviews were conducted during the course of a pediatric community needs assessment. As part of the interview, informants were asked to list the top three problems facing children in their community. We analyzed their answers to determine if informant responses differed by employment type. Key informants were divided into four employment types: health care setting, social service, business, and infrastructure. Responses were coded as being primarily one of three types: medical, social, or resource. Our results showed that those informants who worked in a health care setting listed medical problems more often than those who did not (p < 0.04). Those who worked in social services listed resource problems more often than those who did not (p < 0.05). Those in business and infrastructure positions listed more social problems (p < 0.37). No difference was observed in response type between those who had lived in the community at some point and those who had not. This study lends support to the hypothesis that informants’ reporting of community problems is biased by their vocation. Clinicians often focus their needs assessments on health care workers. This study suggests, however, that we need to take into consideration the bias this presents and to seek to interview people with diverse work experiences. By limiting the process to health care workers, clinicians are likely to get a skewed perspective of a community’s needs and wants.

Conducting State and Local Health Needs Assessments

1983 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Ashbaugh ◽  
Maryann K. Hoff ◽  
Leonard C. Schneider ◽  
Ingrid D. Goldstrom ◽  
Ronald W. Manderscheid
Keyword(s):  
Health Needs ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Conducting State ◽  
Needs Assessments ◽  
State And Local

Health in Action: Evaluation of a Participatory Grant-Making Project in East Harlem

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 910-917
Author(s):  
Christina I. Nieves ◽  
Judy Chan ◽  
Rachel Dannefer ◽  
Cinthia De La Rosa ◽  
Carmen Diaz-Malvido ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
New York ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Local Health Department ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
East Harlem ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Decision-making processes that include resident input have been shown to be effective in addressing community needs. However, few examples discuss the role of a local health department in leading a participatory decision-making process. In 2016, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene implemented a participatory grant-making process to allocate grant funds to community organizations in East Harlem. Findings from the evaluation suggest that a participatory grant-making process can be an effective way to include community member as decision makers. It can also build capacity among organizations and foster meaningful community engagement with a local health department.

Conducting Community Health Needs Assessments in the Local Public Health Department

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-163
Author(s):  
Kahler Stone ◽  
Allison Sierocki ◽  
Vaidehi Shah ◽  
Kelly R. Ylitalo ◽  
Jennifer A. Horney
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Needs Assessments ◽  
Local Public Health Department

scholarly journals 3007 Addressing Community Health Needs through Community Engagement Research Advisory Boards

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. 82-82
Author(s):  
Christi Patten ◽  
Monica L. Albertie ◽  
Chara A. Chamie ◽  
Tabetha A. Brockman ◽  
Mary Gorfine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Engagement ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Research Strategies ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Advisory Boards ◽  
Study Population

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Over 80% of CTSA programs have a community advisory board (CAB), an effective strategy to increase community engagement (CE) in research. Little is known about how the research discussed with CABs aligns with community priorities (i.e., bi-directionality). This program evaluation assessed the health topics presented by researchers to the CABs linked to our CE Program at all three Mayo Clinic sites (MN, AZ, and FL) for relevance to local community needs. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Two coders classified Mayo researcher presentations to our CABs from 2014-2018 for relevance to needs identified in the local 2013 and/or 2016 County Health Needs Assessments and specific topic(s); with high levels of agreement (Kappa=0.90). RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Overall, of the 65 presentations 41 (63%) addressed one or more local health needs (47% MN, 60% FL, 80% AZ). Cross-cutting health topics addressed at 2 sites were physical activity/obesity/nutrition and mental health. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Findings were shared with our CABs to obtain input on future directions. The FL and AZ CABs are systematic in seeking out or initiating research projects that address local health needs, an approach the MN site is interested in adopting. Ultimately, it is important to demonstrate improved health outcomes with CTSA-based CE research strategies. Understanding community health needs and depth of researchers in those areas may help to focus priorities for demonstrating such outcomes.

Beyond Ideology: The Emerging Roles of New Zealand's Crown Health Enterprises

1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Barnett ◽  
Laurence Malcolm
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Political Climate ◽  
Regional Health ◽  
Chief Executives ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
Crown Health ◽  
Regional Health Authorities

New Zealand has experienced radical public sector restructuring over the last decade, including the corporatization and subsequent privatization of state trading units and the reform of social services, including health. In 1991 a new government proposed and then implemented more radical health reforms, which included the corporatization of state-owned provider units (23 crown health enterprises) and the creation of an internal market with purchasers (four regional health authorities) separated from providers. Interviews with chief executives of crown health enterprises suggest that provider units are seeking a wider role than envisaged, with an interest in the health needs of their populations and undertaking some purchasing on their behalf. The purchasers see a narrower role for crown health enterprises. Both purchasers and providers report that competition between providers is not particularly helpful (and with only limited opportunities for this to occur), with collaboration being seen as more useful. Providers are critical of purchasers' ability to adopt a strategic approach. Unlike other aspects of New Zealand's restructuring, there appears to be a retreat from some of the more radical facets of the reforms, reflecting both the resistance of the health sector and a newly uncertain political climate.

scholarly journals Addressing community health needs through community engagement research advisory boards

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 125-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christi A. Patten ◽  
Monica L. Albertie ◽  
Chara A. Chamie ◽  
Tabetha A. Brockman ◽  
Mary Gorfine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Advisory Board ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Community Advisory Board ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
Community Engaged Research ◽  
Advisory Boards

AbstractOver 80% of CTSA programs have a community advisory board (CAB). Little is known about how research discussed with CABs aligns with community priorities (bidirectionality). This program evaluation assessed researcher presentations from 2014 to 2018 to the CABs linked to our CTSA at all three sites (Minnesota, Arizona, and Florida) for relevance to local community needs identified in 2013 and/or 2016. From content analysis, of 65 presentations total, 41 (63%) addressed ≥1 local health needs (47% Minnesota, 60% Florida, and 80% Arizona). Cross-cutting topics were cancer/cancer prevention (physical activity/obesity/nutrition) and mental health. Results could help to prioritize health outcomes of community-engaged research efforts.

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