Oral

Many communities struggle to move from planning to action when engaging in community health improvement efforts, especially when tackling complex health issues. This session will share practical, replicable strategies for supporting communities to utilized evidence-based strategies to address critical health issues arising from Community Health Improvement processes. The National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) represents the nation's public health institutes (PHIs), with 38 members in 27 states and the District of Columbia. PHIs facilitate collaboration between hospitals and health systems, public health departments, academia, community based organizations, and private interests to improve health. PHIs have a strong record of implementing evidence-based public health programs in partnership with their state and local partners as well as providing technical assistance and direct management of community health needs assessment (CHNA) processes. This session will share two examples of NNPHI member organizations that are supporting communities with moving from assessment to action. Specific strategies, resources, and tools to use evidence-informed tactics to implement an action plan to impact community health will be discussed. The Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI) has supported health departments throughout Illinois in conducting comprehensive Community Health Improvement processes. IPHI uses a variety of tools and approaches, and has adapted that experience to provide support to a number of hospitals to produce their Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs). Recently, IPHI completed an exciting community health improvement project with a partnership among the Kankakee County Health Department, Riverside Medical Center, Provena St. Mary's Hospital, and the United Way of Kankakee County. Specific tools and strategies for engaging community partners throughout the process will be presented. Health Resources in Action (HRiA) in Massachusetts has worked with numerous hospitals and health departments to move from assessment to action, including guiding 50 stakeholders and partners in the incorporation of evidence-based strategies that address heath equity and sustainability. HRiA will share about these strategies and share tools and resources for sustainability as well as “data sheets” that guide action on top priorities defined through a community health assessment and improvement process.

Session Objectives: Describe public health institutes and their model of partnership Describe 2 examples of public health institutes working with their state and local partners to use evidence based strategies to address community health needs Describe 3 specific resources that can be accessed to facilitate the process of moving from assessment and plan to action.