Applying an Evaluation Framework of Hospital CHA/CHIP Quality and Heterogeneity to Accredited Local Health Departments in Kentucky, 2015-2022.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the quality of community health assessments (CHA) and community health improvement plans conducted by Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB)-accredited local health departments (LHDs) in Kentucky.

Design: Quality assessment of CHAs and community health improvement plan documents using criteria adapted from Pennel et al (2015).

Setting: PHAB-accredited LHDs in Kentucky.

Participants: Seventeen CHAs and community health improvement plan documents from PHAB-accredited LHD.

Main outcome measures: Quality scores based on 17 evaluation criteria, including stakeholder involvement, data examination, plan feasibility, and LHD-hospital collaboration.

Results: The study found significant variation in the quality of CHAs and community health improvement plan documents. The highest scores were for partner involvement, data examination, and plan feasibility. The lowest scores were for LHD-hospital collaboration, use of evidence-based strategies, and plan evaluation. No community variables significantly predicted overall report scores.

Conclusions: The quality of CHAs and community health improvement plan documents varies among Kentucky LHDs, highlighting the need for more robust guidance and standardized criteria. Strengthening hospital-LHD collaboration and focusing on evidence-based strategies can improve public health outcomes.

Implications for policy and practice: Enhancing CHAs and community health improvement plan processes through legislative changes, better guidance, and improved collaboration between hospitals and LHD can lead to more effective public health interventions and outcomes.