Our health and well-being are products of not only the health care we receive and the choices we make, but also the places where we live, learn, work, and play. Community health improvement (CHI) is a process to identify and address the health needs of communities. Because working together has a greater impact on health and economic vitality than working alone, CHI brings together health care, public health, and other stakeholders to consider high-priority actions to improve community health.
The CDC Community Health Improvement Navigator (CHI Navigator) is a website for people who lead or participate in CHI work within hospitals and health systems, public health agencies, and other community organizations. It is a one-stop-shop that offers community stakeholders expert-vetted tools and resources for:
- Depicting visually the who, what, where, and how of improving community health
- Making the case for collaborative approaches to community health improvement
- Establishing and maintaining effective collaborations
- Finding interventions that work for the greatest impact on health and well-being for all
Not sure where to start? Begin here if you are new to CHI and the community health needs assessment (CHNA) process. For comments or questions related to the CHI Navigator, email us.
-
Making the Case for Collaborative CHI
Read about hospitals that are engaged in collaborative CHI work and making an impact on community health. -
Database of Interventions
Search the database for strategies that work in four action areas for the greatest impact on community health. -
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the CHI Navigator, including its purpose, content, and how to get started.
A Holistic Approach to Health Care Is Needed
What will the “H” represent in 10 years? Much more than “Hospital.” People should see it and think of “Health.” As delivery and reimbursement systems change to incentivize keeping patients healthy and out of the hospital, the hospital field must be looking at a holistic approach to care, prevention needs to be front and center, and more than just hospitals and the health care system will be needed to impact change. Our focus should be on determinants of health, not just health care or hospital care.
From the American Hospital Association’s 2015 Leadership Toolkit for Redefining the H: Engaging Trustees and Communities
- Page last reviewed: August 19, 2015
- Page last updated: August 19, 2015
- Content source: