Community Health Needs Assessments

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires nonprofit hospitals to conduct an assessment of the health needs of the people in the communities they serve and take steps toward addressing those needs. Hospitals are required to consult with community members in this process, including those with expertise in public health. Many state and local health departments (HDs) are also conducting community health needs assessments similar to those required of nonprofit hospitals as part of a voluntary accreditation process or as a requirement to receive continued funding. Because nonprofit hospitals and HDs have similar goals and often serve similar people, the ACA community health needs assessment requirement represents an opportunity for collaboration between HDs and nonprofit hospitals.