Title
Maricopa County Department of Public Health 2026 Community Health Needs Assessment - Citywide
Description
This report provides information to the Community Services and Education Subcommittee about the upcoming cycle of the Community Health Needs Assessment.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
In Arizona, local county health departments, including the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH), conduct Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) every few years. These assessments present significant opportunities to identify local health priorities. Key priority areas include chronic disease, mental health, access to care, and opportunities for collaboration with local health systems and community partners. These CHNAs drive the Arizona Department of Health Service's Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP). The AzHIP is a statewide strategy to address health issues, such as rural and urban health disparities and social determinants of health to help ensure that local needs shape state priorities.
The upcoming cycle of the MCDPH CHNA entails four phases: data collection, analysis, prioritization, and action planning. The first phase of the process, data collection, involves collecting feedback from the community through surveys and focus groups. Phase 1 will launch in February 2026 and will conclude in April 2026. Analysis is expected to be shared Fall 2026. The Office of Public Health (OPH) participates in the prioritization and action planning processes in collaboration with MCDPH and a variety of community partners through the Health Improvement Partnership of Maricopa County.
During the prior 2023 CHNA cycle, 7,415 Phoenix residents completed the survey. OPH is developing an outreach plan to ensure the total number of survey respondents continue to be a representative sample of the City of Phoenix. As a part of these efforts, OPH will plan and conduct an awareness campaign for Phoenix residents to increase response rates in our community. OPH will also create tailored messaging aimed at increasing response rates from traditionally underrepresented populations. It is important that the voices of Phoenix residents from all backgrounds are included in the CHNA so that meaningful public health interventions that speak to community needs are developed and implemented in the coming years. This data is also used by many City of Phoenix departments and community agencies to inform planning, write proposals for funding, and learn about the people living in the communities in which they serve.
Financial Impact
There is no impact to the General Fund.
Public Outreach
Planned citywide community outreach in collaboration with departments including Neighborhood Services, Phoenix Public Library, Human Services Department, and Office of Homeless Solutions.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Gina Montes and the Office of Public Health.