Greater Boston Community Health Needs Assessment: Joint Effort that Could Lead to Better Health

NEHI conducted an analysis of Community Health Needs Assessments of 25 Boston area hospitals and concluded that there are opportunities for collaboration.

Currently, hospitals are doing these assessments separately and independently, but joining resources could have a bigger impact on community health.  

NEHI’s analysis of 25 assessments and health improvement plans carried out by hospitals in Greater Boston showed that there is broad agreement on the top five health issues faced by area residents. Despite the agreement on the need to address these common health issues, many of the community health improvement plans that NEHI reviewed lacked detail and clarity as to what steps should be taken for preventing disease, addressing the social determinants of health, or providing additional treatment targeted at particular conditions and patients.