Community Health Assessment

What is a Community Health Assessment?

A community health assessment (sometimes called a CHA), also known as community health needs assessment (sometimes called a CHNA), refers to a local health assessment process that that uses quantitative and qualitative methods to systematically collect and analyze data to understand health within a specific community. Community health assessment data inform community decision-making, the prioritization of health problems, and the development, implementation, and evaluation of community health improvement plans. Click here for the 2020 Community Health Assessment for St. Mary’s County.

Healthy St. Mary’s 2026, the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) for St. Mary’s County, was created after analyzing both state and local health data. The CHIP provides a community blueprint for improving the health of local residents from 2021- 2026. The plan provides insight into health solutions for the long-term and presents a road map for achieving optimal health for all. The CHIP is a living document which is updated annually to reflect current needs of St. Mary’s County.

St. Mary’s County Assessments

MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital Community Health Needs Assessment 2021

St. Mary’s County 2020 Community Health Assessment

ALICE in Maryland: A Financial Hardship Study – 2020 Maryland Report

St. Mary’s County 2019 Health Status Report

St. Mary’s County Health Equity Report 2018

St. Mary’s County Maternal and Infant Health Profile 2017

Data

RWJ Foundation County Health Rankings

2019 Maryland Public Opinion Survey on Opioids

2018 Youth Risk Behavior Survey – St. Mary’s County High School Summary Tables

2018 Youth Risk Behavior Survey – St. Mary’s County Middle School Summary Tables

St. Mary’s County Health Department Opioid Dashboard

St. Mary’s County Air Quality Dashboard

St. Mary’s County COVID-19 Data Dashboard

Maryland State Health Improvement Process (SHIP)

Healthy People 2030

Community Health Assessment Resources

AHA Community Health Improvement

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Association of County & City Health Officials