How to See the Greatest Impact from Your CHNA
By Forrest Rich
A Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) will allow you to assess the health and needs of your community and create a coalition to address those needs. Required by law for non-profits, it’s a practice that can benefit a hospital or health system of any size or tax standing. A CHNA can dramatically further publicity and marketing initiatives, while simultaneously improving community health.
Consider these benefits; by executing a CHNA you will:
- Understand the demographics of your population
- Examine the psychographics and spending habits of your community
- Learn the values and viewpoints of the residents in your service area and what unmet health needs they have
- Collaborate with community stakeholders to prioritize solutions
- Integrate a Market Research Analysis and align your CHNA with your strategic plan
- Meet IRS requirements (for not-for-profit hospitals)
