HPOE guide applies research lens to community health needs assessment process

A new guide from the AHA’s Hospitals in Pursuit of Excellence initiative highlights how research can increase the impact of the community health needs assessment process, and where and how research practices can be used. “Community health needs assessments continue to be developed into sophisticated vehicles to drive community health improvement initiatives across the United States,” the report notes. “By incorporating community-based research and patient-centered research principles into the CHNA process, hospitals and health systems can develop an approach that promotes sustainable community engagement and information exchange. Furthermore, knowing how existing research findings can be applied to address identified needs in the community has the potential to increase the impact and efficacy of interventions.” The AHA’s Health Research & Educational Trust affiliate developed the guide with input from a diverse range of stakeholders and support from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.