Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

Which type of assessment provides insights about community assets and needs?

1. Environmental assessment

2. Needs assessment

3. Process evaluation

4. Summative evaluation

The correct answer is: Needs assessment

A needs assessment is specifically designed to identify and analyze community assets, gaps, and needs. It focuses on understanding the strengths and weaknesses within a community, as well as the resources available to meet the identified needs. This type of assessment employs various methods such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gather information directly from community members and stakeholders. The insights gained from a needs assessment allow public health professionals to develop targeted interventions and allocate resources effectively, ensuring that programs are designed to address the real issues faced by the community. In comparison, an environmental assessment primarily looks at the external factors affecting health, such as air quality or access to healthcare resources, rather than directly engaging with the community to identify their specific needs and assets. Process evaluation examines the implementation of programs to determine how well they are functioning, while summative evaluation assesses the overall impact and outcomes of interventions after they have been implemented. Neither of these types of assessments is focused on the identification of community needs and assets in the same comprehensive manner as a needs assessment.