Think of the Tongan example in the Weekly Introduction. What was the main reason the proposed public health program was ineffective? The students had failed to properly plan a community health assessment of their target community. If they had done a proper plan for the assessment, it might have lead them to propose a more culturally-appropriate program such as a plan for community dances, which the Tongans later suggested and proceeded to plan and implement without the students' help.

A community health assessment is an important starting point for addressing any public health program. It provides a road map to follow throughout the process. As a public health professional, you will need to be familiar with the proper planning of this important tool, which provides the foundation for the entire program, and to understand how it is integrated in program planning.

For this Discussion, review the media titled Assessment and Potential Outcomes. Consider how individuals such as Water Missions Belize co-founder Jennifer Harsta, Country Director Douglas Flores, and Health Education Officer Arlette Sheppard from the Ministry of Health used community health assessments in the development of public health programs. If you have completed Steps I and II of the SPP, please refer to your community health assessment for this Discussion. If you have not completed Steps I and II, please refer to the examples of community health assessment (Monroe County Department of Public Health) in the Learning Resources or research a community health assessment you would like to use for this Discussion.

Assignment:

Post 3-4 pages of explanation of the effects of improper planning of community health assessment on a public health program. Then, briefly describe the community and health issue you selected for this Discussion, and explain what strategies you might use to improve the planning of your community health assessment. Finally, explain how you might integrate the community health assessment into your program planning.