What is the goal of community health assessments?

• A. Improve health of communities and populations
• B. Improve health of individuals
• C. Identify hospital funding
• D. Track clinical trials

Answer: (A)

Community health assessments are about understanding the health needs and resources of an entire community and then using that information to improve health outcomes for populations. They gather data on disease burden, access to care, social determinants of health, and disparities to identify priorities and guide programs, policies, and the allocation of resources that affect many people—not just individuals. That population-focused aim contrasts with improving health for individuals through personal medical care, which is the realm of clinical services. Likewise, identifying hospital funding and tracking clinical trials are administrative or research activities, not the central purpose of a CHA. So the goal is to improve health of communities and populations.