Write a 2–4-page report on the concepts, processes, and tools needed  to conduct a community health assessment, how to find the data, and how  to validate the data. Explain the factors that can affect the health of a  community, along with how to obtain that information.

Understanding community and state health care issues and concerns,  the local resources available, and accessibility of those resources can  inform health care practices and improve quality patient outcomes.

Social and lifestyle behaviors can affect health. In fact, some would  argue that many, if not most, health risks can be mitigated through  lifestyle and behavioral changes. With this in mind, the health care  provider must be aware of the socioeconomic factors and the lifestyle  factors present in a population.

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Both social and cultural factors influence many lifestyle factors.  Living environment, housing conditions, employment factors, diet, and  cultural beliefs all play a role in a person's levels of risk and  resulting health. The nursing assessment must include these social  influences as part of the domain necessary for evaluation and inclusion  in the assessment approach, and integrate a framework for analysis,  which includes all the social milieus associated with each dimension.

Evidence-based health assessments are done using health data from  private and public organizations. There are many opportunities for  gathering health data in a community, through public health systems and  through private records, where approval has been obtained from  participants.

Collecting primary data must involve informed consent. Secondary  sources can also be used by obtaining aggregate data from health plans  and health care providers that do not include personalized demographic  data. Each of these data sources can be important to forming a picture  of a community's health, which can then be compared to national standard  data such as that provided through Healthy People 2020. Understanding  the current health status and the perceived needs of a community can  help to provide the valuable information needed to set forth a plan  which evaluates the current and future health needs of the community.

Imagine you work for an organization that has decided to open a  satellite facility in an underserved community. Your organization asks  you to move to the new location and assist with some of the preliminary  work. Part of this work is to determine the health care needs of the  community. How will you do this? What information will you need to know?  Where will you find the information?

Preparation

Search the Capella library and the Internet for peer-reviewed  journal articles on how to conduct a community health assessment. You  will need at least 3 resources to use in this assessment.

Directions

Develop a plan for a community health assessment in which you complete the following:

• Describe the type of data needed to make an informed community health assessment.
• Explain how the data will help determine the health care needs of the community.
• Describe your strategy for obtaining the necessary data.
• Explain the factors that impact the health and wellness of a  community. (Hint: This is a very broad list. Think outside the box on  this one!)
• Explain how you will obtain information on these factors for your specific community.
• Explain how you will determine if the data and information you obtain is valid and reliable.
• Format this assessment as a report that you would submit to a  director or other organizational leader. You are still required to  follow APA guidelines for in-text citations and references.

Additional Requirements

• Include a title page and reference page.
• Ensure your assessment is 2–4 pages in length.
• Use double-spaced, 12-pt., Times New Roman font. (Recommended)