A community health needs assessment (CHNA) provides comprehensive information about a specific community’s current health status, needs, and specific challenges. This information is then used to develop a community health improvement plan (CHIP), a long-term, systematic effort to address population health problems based on these findings to best meet the community’s needs.
CHNA for Charitable Hospital Organizations under Section 501 (r)(3)(A) requires a hospital organization to conduct a CHNA every three years and to adopt an implementation strategy to meet the community health needs identified through the CHNA.
Although, we believe CHNA are much more than just a requirement! CHNA are an opportunity to learn about the communities you serve, advance health equity, and enhance the health and well-being of your residents.
Below you will find resources to help guide your organization in developing a CHNA and CHIP. MCRH is always available to assist you with additional resources or guidance.-
Fact sheet for rural community health needs assessment and community health improvement plans by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) for rural health stakeholders interested in improving population health and health equity in rural communities through a community health improvement process.
-
This resource from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an overview of community health assessments and improvement plans and the importance of completing them.
-
The Community Toolkits, from the University of Kansas, is an online resource to build healthier communities and bring about social change. These toolkits provide practical, step-by-step guidance in creating change and improvement.
-
The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) supports a range of programs and tools to help rural communities improve the health of their residents. This resource from the Rural Health Information Hub highlights several resources, including identifying an intervention, funding an intervention, evaluating and sustaining a program, and disseminating the information.
-
IRS resource that provides an overview of general requirements for Charitable Hospital Organizations- Section 501(r)(3) and Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). This resource explains how to conduct a CHNA, identifying the community served, assessing community health needs, input representing the broad interests of the community, and additional sources of input.
-
Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) resource from NACHOO is a community-driven strategic planning process for improving community health. This framework helps communities apply strategic thinking to prioritize public health issues and identify resources to address them.
Social Drivers of Health Manager Contact
Laura Mispelon, MHA
Social Drivers of Health Manager
Michigan Center for Rural Health
laura.mispelon@affiliate.msu.edu