Community Health Assessment & Health Improvement Planning (CHA CHIP)

CHA CHIP has more than a 30-year history in Iowa and represents vital local action to promote and protect the health of Iowans. At least every five years, local public health assures a community-wide process takes place to identify the most important factors affecting health in the community and to plan strategies to build on strengths and work on gaps. These CHA CHIP discussions form the foundation for statewide planning and action to improve the health of all who live, work and play in Iowa.

Federal requirements for nonprofit hospitals to conduct community health needs assessments every three years present an opportunity for hospitals and local public health to join forces to identify needs and craft strategies for meeting them. Working together can result in greater collaboration between hospitals and local public health and an initiation of new partnerships. Both groups in the health system stand to gain from the relationship. Even more important, the community benefits when data, resources, and expertise are shared to attain the common goal of a healthier community.

Use the links to the left or click below to learn more about CHA CHIP in Iowa.

Reporting provides information for local health departments to complete reports as well as local reporting timelines.

Guide provides guidance for completing community health assessments and health improvement plans,.

Current Assessments & Plans provides highlights from progress on local HIPs and links by county to the most recent CHA CHIPs submitted by local communities, including individual county reports of progress.

The Data page includes links to 3 different indicator reports local communities can use to complete CHAs or monitor progress on CHIPs as well as links to other local data sources.

The Resources page provides links to tools for developing, implementing, tracking, and evaluating health improvement strategies.