Which statement best describes who conducts community health assessments?

• A. They are only done by professionals such as public health officials.
• B. They can be conducted by a variety of community partners, including CHWs.
• C. They are unnecessary in most communities.
• D. They require federal approval to start.

Answer: (B)

Community health assessments are most effective when they are carried out through collaboration among a wide range of partners, not just professionals. Community health workers bring trusted, on-the-ground connections, cultural insight, and practical access to hard-to-reach groups, making data collection, focus groups, and outreach more accurate and meaningful. By partnering with CHWs, local organizations, schools, clinics, faith groups, and other community stakeholders, the assessment captures real needs and builds broader support for action.

This collaborative approach stands in contrast to the idea that only public health officials would conduct assessments, or that they’re unnecessary or require federal approval to begin. Those notions don’t fit how most communities gather information to guide programs and resource allocation.