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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Sally Findley, PhD, Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 60 Haven Ave, B-2, New York, NY 10032, 212 304-5790, sef5@columbia.edu
Background: Often health programs are designed using statistical data not truly representative of the community or its actual health problems, simply because they the only available data. Innovative strategies are needed to combine different data sources to obtain a more accurate and timely assessment of program needs, which can expedite program development. Methods: In 1999, community health problem priority assessment was conducted using multiple methodologies: identification of health problems with large disparities from Health People 2010 (HP2010, review of published governmental statistics, community discussion groups (n=200 participants), surveys of community health providers (n=48) and organization leaders (n=11), and individual surveys conducted in several community settings (n=482). Priorities were consensus items across assessment methodologies. Program development activities in the subsequent 2 years were monitored. Results: Published statistics for our community health districts showed community health outcomes were well below the national average for 17 of the selected Healthy People 2010 goals). Community discussions touched on 21 HP2010 goals, then selected only 9 priorities. Surveys with individuals narrowed the list to 7 problems, 2 which were not HP2010 goals. In the succeeding 2 years, community groups have taken steps to develop programs in 6 out of 7 priority areas, with the involvement of over 23 organizations in one or more priority areas. . Conclusions: Community feedback on health problem priorities is vital to ensure that problems reflect actual felt community priorities. These discussions also facilitate support for subsequent program development.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Community Health Assessment, Community-Based Health Promotion
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.