Community Health Assessment (CHA)

Make Your Voice Count!

Your voice matters. Join the conversation on health issues in our community. The City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services (DPHCS) is preparing for the 2023 Community Health Assessment (CHA).

Community members are invited to participate in our upcoming CHA Community Conversations. CHA Community Conversations serve as an opportunity to talk about health, wellness, and how we can create the healthiest Greater Nashua community. See the flyer (right) for more information and scan the QR code or click here to register. Free dinner and a $5 gift card will be provided.

Questions? Email Lyndsey Bond, Nashua DPHCS Epidemiologist (bondl@nashuanh.gov).

What is a CHA?

A Community Health Assessment (CHA) is a process through which you gain a better understanding of the health concerns and needs of the community by identifying, collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information on the community’s assets, strengths, resources, and needs. It includes information on risk factors, quality of life, morbidity, and mortality, social determinants of health, and health equity. It also includes information on how well the public health and healthcare systems provide services.

The overarching goal for the CHA is to engage community members, identify emerging issues, and set the foundation for future programming in the the Greater Nashua Public Health Region (GNPHR). The City of Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services' (DPHCS) CHAs include data on the City of Nashua, GNPHR , and State of New Hampshire.

How can CHA Data be Used?

Community health assessment data can be used to inform community decision-making, including:

Academia
Applying for funding/grants
Certification/accreditation/licensing
Developing a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
Developing community health priorities
Meeting Community Needs Assessment requirements
Program evaluation
Program planning, enhancement, and implementation

CHA Health Topics

There are many health topics covered in CHAs, including, but not limited to:

Access to Healthcare
Behavioral Health (Mental Health, Substance Misuse, Suicide)
Cancer
Chronic Disease
Climate Change
Communicable Diseases
Environmental Health

Injury
Maternal and Child Health
Oral Health
Physical Wellness (Food and Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Physical Safety)
Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Safety
Social Determinants of Health

Access Full Reports

2020 Greater Nashua CHA

The 2020 Greater Nashua CHA is the fourth comprehensive CHA conducted by the Nashua DPHCS and their Public Health Advisory Council partners. It is a product of the dedication and collaboration of over 33 organizations, programs, and City departments serving the GNPHR. Like the previous CHAs, this data from the assessment will be used to prioritize health issues, develop goals and strategies to improve health outcomes, and implement evidence-informed initiatives to make our community a healthier place to live, work, and thrive. The 2020 CHA is completely online as a live, interactive document. Click below to access full reports!