Every five years, local boards of health lead a community-wide discussion with stakeholders and residents about their community's health needs. After identifying needs in the community the next step is to identify strategies to address those needs. The process, Community Health Needs Assessment and Health Improvement Plan (CHNA & HIP), is a fundamental piece of statewide health planning. CHNA & HIP has more than a 20 year history in Iowa and represents local action to promote and protect the health of Iowans.
In February of 2011, all 99 counties submitted a brief report on their needs assessment and health improvement plans to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). Thousands of Iowans participated in the process in their communities. Community engagement included community-wide meetings with residents and health stakeholders, survey participation, and direct comments.
For the first time, IDPH has completed a comprehensive analysis of the CHNA & HIP submissions and issued a report, Understanding Community Health Needs in Iowa. The report demonstrates the scope of Iowa's health needs and identifies critical issues affecting the health of Iowans. This report is part of IDPH's commitment to use local input and health needs to guide statewide health improvement planning. The next step in the health planning process is the development of the statewide plan, Healthy Iowans which is expected to be released near the end of 2011.
Understanding Community Health Needs in Iowa 2011 
Contact Information:
- For information on the report: Jonn Durbin (515) 281-8936
- For more information on local public health in Iowa, please visit the Bureau of Local Public Health Services website.
Select Maps of Health Needs by Iowa Public Health Focus Area
Healthy Behaviors
- Nutrition and Weight Status: HP 2020 Category that includes needs relating to nutrition, obesity, and the overweight population. Map
- Family Planning and Education: Includes needs in family planning, reproductive health, and responsible sexual behavior education. Map
- Mental Health: Includes needs relating to mental illnesses, emotional and mental well being, and needs relating to specific disorders. This crosses over with Health Infrastructure as it includes needs such as a lack of mental health providers, limited availability of services, and the ability to meet mental health needs. Map
Environmental Health
- Lead Poisoning: Includes needs related to childhood lead poisoning, screening, and lead abatement. Map
- Water Quality: Includes needs relating to drinking water, surface water, septic infrastructure, and well testing and capping. Map
Prevent Injuries
- Child Abuse and Child Safety: Includes needs related to intentional violence against children, physical abuse, and child safety. Map
- Motor Vehicle Accidents: Includes needs relating to motor vehicle accident prevention, fatalities, operating vehicles while intoxicated, and distracted driving. Map
Prevent Epidemics
- STD, HIV/AIDS: Includes needs related to sexual health, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS diagnoses and treatment. Map
- Immunization: Includes needs in childhood immunizations, adult immunizations, and multicultural health immunization. Map
Emergency Response
- Network Infrastructure and Communication: Includes needs related to narrow band radio conversion, communication plans, and other infrastructure needs. Map
- Personnel and Volunteers: Includes needs related to lack of volunteers, human resource capacity, and training of staff in emergency response. Map
Health Infrastructure
- Access to Health Services-Transportation: Includes needs pertaining to lack of transportation and its impact on health care access. Map
- Access to Health Services-Insurance: Includes needs of lack of insurance, the underinsured, or access to health insurance. Map
Resources for Implementation and Measuring Progress
- State of the Weight Conference Slides
- Diet, Obesity, and Weight Stigma Reports and Policy Briefs
- Iowans Fit for Life Toolkits
- Promoting Health Equity
- Inventory of Programs to Assist Homeless Iowans
- Resources for Homelessness Contact Information
- Recommended Community Strategies and Measurements to Prevent Obesity in the United States
- The Healthy People 2020 toolbox
A community toolbox to mobilize action, influence policy, and sustain projects for everyone who wants to build healthy communities.
- University of Kansas Toolbox
A database for finding evidence-based practices to address specific health issues.
- Healthy People 2020
The list of topic areas includes an overview, objectives, data, and evidence-based resources.
- Health Indicators Warehouse
A single, user-friendly source for national, state, and community data.
County Data
