Community health needs assessment

Health Needs Assessment (HNA) has received an increasing amount of attention recently. In particular the importance of the community playing a role in the development of HNA is now widely acknowledged. Community involvement will help to ensure that the resources provided actually satisfy the needs of the community. This article outlines the work on developing a methodology that describes how a community can build its own heatlh profile, and ultimately conduct its own HNA. This method is documented in a ‘Guide’ intended for the community. The quantitative stages at the method are focused on and a health profile of Heeley Green a community in Sheffield, South Yorkshire is produced.