The NARBHA Institute commissioned a systematic Community Assessment to respond to rapidly changing community needs validated through a comprehensive community assessment process. The outcome and strategies developed will ensure The NARBHA Institute’s ongoing value to the communities we serve as they work to improve population health, hunger, homelessness, chronic disease, work force development, and wellness promotion.
The Community Assessment was being conducted by the Health Equity Research Group at Northern Arizona University. The primary goals of the Assessment are to:
- Identify local community and institutional needs, barriers, and resources addressing health disparities in northern Arizona
- Provide an overall strategic plan for the development of evidence-based health equity prevention programs in northern Arizona
The NARBHA Institute partnered with the Northern Arizona Healthcare Foundation to fund this project and included extensive participation by Northern Arizona University including the Center for Health Equity Research in the College of Health and Human Services, the W.A. Franke College of Business, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and the College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences as well as subject-matter community experts. The scope of work includes a comprehensive health needs assessment of health equity and intervention opportunities in the northern Arizona region and consists of several components including survey questionnaires, focus groups, public health summits, personal interviews, and state, federal and county data.