Assess

Why Assess?

Assessing needs—and the assets in different sectors—helps inform the collaborative planning and action to follow.

 

Key Questions to Consider

• • What is the current situation? (What trends can be seen in key indicators of health, wellbeing, and sustainable development?)
  • Who is affected by these issues, where, how, and to what extent?
  • What information will be gathered and reviewed to help choose the priority goal(s) to be addressed?
  • What evidence will be used to justify the choice of a priority goal, including marked differences in outcomes for particular groups?
  • What determinants produce marked differences in outcomes (inequities) for particular groups?
  • What resources and assets—in participating sectors—can help address the priority goal(s)?

 

Some Recommended Actions

1. __ Gather information to help choose the priority health and development goal(s). Including:
   • Existing data sources on population/local-level outcomes; look for where there are marked differences in outcomes for particular groups in particular places (e.g., related to race/ethnicity, income/poverty, gender, and/or where people live)
   • Additional quantitative data (e.g., surveys, observation, small area analysis)
   • Qualitative data (e.g., interviews, listening sessions, focus groups)

2. __ State evidence justifying the choice of the priority goal(s), including:
   • Country/Community-level indicators showing the size of the problem (e.g., rate of communicable diseases, infant deaths)
   • How frequently the problem (or related behavior) occurs (e.g., number of particular disease category reported/confirmed in the past 30 days)
   • The marked differences in outcomes related to particular groups or places (i.e., race/ethnicity, income/poverty, gender, and/or where people live

3. __ Identify social determinants that produce marked differences in outcomes (inequities) for particular groups (e.g., related to race/ethnicity, income/poverty), including:
   • Differential exposures and opportunities (e.g., to stress, support networks)
   • Differential vulnerabilities and capabilities (e.g., education)
   • Differential consequences (e.g., access to quality services, discrimination)

4. __ Describe what relevant resources and assets are available in participating sectors, and how intersectoral action can use those resources to address the priority goal(s).

 

Assessment Example

• Assessment Using the COMBI Plan to Control Dengue Fever in the Seychelles
• Assessment and Surveillance Approaches Used to Track New Cases of COVID-19 in Kenya

 

Resources to Help You Assess

Tools from the Community Tool Box

Toolkit: Assessing Community Needs and Resources

Chapter 3: Assessing Community Needs and Resources

Tools from WHO and Other Sources

Urban Heart: Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool: User Manual

Rapid Assessment and Action Planning Process (RAAPP)

Support Tool to Assess Health Information Systems and Develop and Strengthen Health Information Strategies

Early detection, assessment and response to acute public health events