Philadelphia Ujima coalition for a healthier community: A needs assessment of girls and women using a gender analysis framework

Introduction: Gender disparities in health continue to persist. Differences exist in mortality and morbidity rates as well as quality of care received and experiences with social determinants of health. Moreover, in building a healthy community the unique needs and experiences of girls and women must be considered. The Philadelphia Ujima Coalition for a Healthier Community funded by the Office on Women's Health, utilizes a community participatory framework to conduct a gender informed needs assessment of priority areas in girls and women's health. Methods: A three tiered approach was utilized in this needs assessment. Data was analyzed from the 2010 household health survey in order to identify gender differences in health outcomes. Key informant interviews, using a gender analysis framework, were conducted with stakeholders identified through a participatory process. A community health assessment was implemented with partner sites. A participatory process was used to identify and rank priority areas. Results: Gender disparities in health outcomes and health care practices were observed. Data from the community health assessment and key informant interviews were used to identify priority areas as well as gender informed barriers, norms, available resources and approaches to programming. Conclusions: A gender informed needs assessment of girls and women can reveal important priority areas to be addressed as well as highlight specific gender related objectives to be included in subsequent health promotion programming for girls and women.