The Illinois Project for Local Assessment of Needs (IPLAN) is a community health assessment and planning model adapted from the National Association of County and City Health Officials' Assessment Protocol for Excellence in Public Health (APEXPH). IPLAN is designed to identify community health problems and propose solutions through a comprehensive planning process, directed by the community and with the guidance of the local health department (LHD). The process results in a five-year community health plan, created at the local level, that addresses health priorities with measurable objectives and related intervention strategies. Over ninety health departments participated in this process in Illinois in 1999-2000. As a result, a set of extensive information was submitted regarding local health issues. This information has been compiled into a searchable database that researchers, government officials, and others can use to identify communities that have prioritized smoking cessation, access to health care, and other topics of current interest. As a further step, the database has been developed into a dynamic Web page. The page allows the public to search IPLAN information by subject matter, desired outcomes, proposed interventions, and other variables. LHD staff have indicated that this capability will increase the sharing of data between departments and further facilitate development of the IPLAN program. See app.idph.state.il.us/index.htm
Learning Objectives: Describe the compilation of needs assessments submitted by local health departments into a Web-based database that serves as a tool for program development and makes local health priorities available for researchers, policy makers, and the general public.
Keywords: Community Health Planning, World Wide Web
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.