 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Carol Plock, MSW1, Susan J. Hewitt, MS2, Bruce D. Cooper, MD, MSPH1, Sacha Z. Pampalone, MPH2, Deborah L. Thompson, MD2, and James N Burdine, Dr PH3. (1) Poudre Health Services District, 120 Bristlecone Dr., Ft. Collins, CO 80524, 970 224-5209, cplock@healthdistrict.org, (2) Evaluation Team, Poudre Health Services District, 120 Bristlecone Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524, (3) Community Health Development Program, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M University, 3000 Briarcrest Drive, Suite 310, Bryan, TX 77802
Rarely has a community had the benefit of completing three comprehensive community health needs assessments and the experience of using the information to determine programming and policy priorities. The Poudre Health Services District in Larimer County, Colorado performed assessments in 1995, 1998 and 2001 in order to make resource allocation decisions that would have the greatest impact on the health of the community.
This session will review the methodologies, key findings, data synthesis processes and tools utilized, as well as provide examples of policy decisions made as a result of the triennial assessments. Methodologies included three random sample surveys of community residents (mean n=1500) and community discussion groups. Measures included SF-12 scores, health status indicators, behavioral risk factors, access to care, and readiness to change. Data synthesis processes and tools included comparing local statistics to state and national rates and to Healthy People 2010 goals. Additionally, estimated preventable burdens of disease were compared. The board of directors and the CEO have used the results of the assessments, along with comprehensive program evaluations, to determine where to direct the organization’s resources and priorities.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Community Health Assessment, Community Health Planning
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.