Community Health

Community Health Assessment Consultant

A Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is a structured study of a community's health status, needs, and access gaps. PDA prepares CHNAs and implementation strategies that meet IRS requirements — and inform where nonprofit hospitals actually invest.

Engagements include

  • Full CHNA studies for nonprofit hospitals and systems
  • Implementation strategies with measurable priorities
  • Population health and health-equity analysis
  • Stakeholder engagement and community input
  • Progress reporting between assessment cycles

Frequently asked questions

What is a community health needs assessment (CHNA)?

A CHNA is a structured study of a community's health status, needs, and access gaps — often required for nonprofit hospitals — combining demographic, epidemiological, and stakeholder data to guide priorities.

How often must nonprofit hospitals conduct a CHNA?

IRS §501(r) requires nonprofit hospitals to conduct a CHNA at least once every three years and adopt an implementation strategy addressing the identified needs. [VERIFY current IRS guidance.]

What goes into an implementation strategy?

An implementation strategy identifies which needs the hospital will address, how it will address them, and how progress will be measured — connecting the CHNA to the hospital's actual operating decisions.
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Turn a complex healthcare challenge into a clear plan.

Whether you're weighing a new service line, preparing a Certificate of Need, planning a facility investment, or aligning leadership on direction — we can help you see the path forward.

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