Strength and Weakness of the EBPH in Defining a Public Health Problem

As a public health professional, you will be expected to apply evidence-based public health practice in the field.

Here you can review best practices related to understanding and describing the community.

Click each tab to review the best practices.

Understanding the Community Best Practices Importance of Needs Assessment A community assessment is required to first understand the community of interest. No assumptions can or should be made about the community. The needs assessment provides insight into the culture and social design of the community that will help you understand how to address the community’s needs and utilize its resources. The needs assessment also identifies and quantifies available resources and assets (both tangible and intangible) and allows for effective appropriation of said resources by the stakeholders (Community Toolbox, 2013). Importance of Needs Assessment Understanding the Community Best Practices Inclusions in the Assessment Plan Inclusions in the Assessment Plan The community assessment plan must include as many of the relevant stakeholders as possible from all affected or related areas of the community problem. These stakeholders must be incorporated in the decision-making process from early stages of the community assessment plan. A thorough assessment plan will include evidence of completeness and a full “walk through” of each phase of the plan. It will provide clear and easy-to-follow steps and procedures for conducting a complete and accurate assessment. Planning ahead with foresight of anticipated problems will save time and effort in carrying out the assessment process (Community Toolbox, 2013).

Understanding the Community Best Practices Community Buy-In Community Buy-In The plan for a community assessment will encourage trust in the assessment process itself and community buy-in will be more natural with less resistance. The assessment plan must seek to understand the community and its cultural and social norms. The community assessment plan must also seek to identify and quantify available resources and assets, both tangible and intangible. Additionally, the assessment promotes leadership from within the community and gives voice to those who may feel they have none, that is, creates a sense of ownership (Community Toolbox, 2013).

Understanding the Community Best Practices