In SFY 2021, 39 of the 64 (61%) local health departments and districts (LHD) reported developing a community Health Assessment (CHA) within the last five (5) years on the Local Health Annual Report.  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) mandates that non-profit hospitals conduct a triennial Community Health Needs Assessment and develop an implementation strategy to meet the community needs as a requirement to maintain their tax-exempt status. This mandate offers an opportunity for hospitals, local health departments, and other entities to work collaboratively across sectors to identify and address health needs in their communities.  In addition to working with hospitals, some LHDs have developed and conducted assessements in their jurisdictions. A CHA is also a prerequisite for governmental public health jurisdictions to apply for public health accreditation through the national Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB).  SFY 2013 was the first year that DPH began tracking this information on the Local Health Annual Report.  It should be noted that in 2021, DPH took an extra step to review CHAs that were submitted by LHDs to ensure they met pre-determinded characteristics.  This improvement in survey methodology may explain the decrease from 2019.  The data are current as of December 2021.

Connecticut Department of Public Health, Office of Policy and Management, local public health agencies, public health professional associations, municipal governments and planning agencies, other organizations and coalitions that address public health, community service organizations serving specific populations (children, older adults, underserved populations), health care providers, health professional associations, academic institutions that prepare the public health workforce, and philanthropic organizations that address public health infrastructure.

A Community Health Assessment (CHA) is a pre-requisite in order to apply for PHAB accreditation. According to the National Association of County and City Health Officials, a Community health assessment is a systematic examination of the health status indicators for a given population that is used to identify key problems and assets in a community. The ultimate goal of a community health assessment is to develop strategies to address the community's health needs and identified issues.

For current year strategies and actions, click here (right click to open link).

Identify a central repository for assessment reports.

Encourage regional health assessments.

Develop and implement a systematic, statewide health planning infrastructure and network.

Establish linkages with educational institutions to provide support for needs assessments.

Establish a baseline of the number of communities currently covered by a community health assessment