Health Data and Assessment

Assessment is one of the three core functions of public health and a foundational capability of the Foundational Public Health Services. Assessment ensures that public health decisions are guided by data, evidence, and community input. 

At Grant County Health District (GCHD), assessment work is equity-driven, transparent, and supports both community-facing public health efforts and internal quality improvement. Led by the Assessment Coordinator, this work helps ensure programs, policies, and services are informed by reliable data and best practices. 

Examples of Community-Facing Assessment Work 

  • Supporting public health surveillance and reporting, including opioid overdoses as a reportable condition
  • Analyzing and sharing trends in reportable conditions through clear, accessible data summaries and visuals
  • Compiling and analyzing Child Death Review data to inform prevention and community health efforts
  • Providing the public with healthdatasources:https://granthealth.org/330/Health-Data-Sources

Examples of Internal Data & Quality Improvement Support 

  • Improving data collection processes, such as refining client intake and ensuring consistent data practices
  • Supporting quality improvement efforts byidentifyinggaps, tracking performance, and measuring outcomes
  • Ensuring internal policies and procedures are informed by current evidence and data

Community Health Assessment (CHA) & Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) 

A core component of assessment work at GCHD is the Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The CHA provides a comprehensive picture of community health needs, assets, and disparities, while the CHIP translates those findings into shared priorities, goals, and strategies developed with community partners. 

Benefits of a Community Health Assessment & Improvement Plan 

  • Improves coordination and collaboration across organizations
  • Increases understanding of public health needs and system connections
  • Strengthens partnerships within state and local public health systems
  • Identifiesstrengths and gaps to guide quality improvement
  • Establishes baselines and benchmarks to measure progress over time

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