What is a CHNA
Community Health Network Areas (CHNAs) are coalitions of public, nonprofit and private sectors working together to build healthier communities through community-based prevention planning and health promotion. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) established CHNAs in 1992. Today, CHNAs involve each of the state’s 351 towns and cities through 27 networks.
CHNAs play an important role in addressing DPH’s statewide public health priorities:
- Eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities and their social determinants
- Promoting wellness in the home, workplace, school, and community
- Preventing and managing chronic disease
CHNAs collaboratively identify local and regional health priorities, design community-based
prevention plans, and track success in achieving healthier communities. CHNAs
develop new health improvement projects as initial projects are completed.