Communities are complex. We may think we know what makes up the places where we live, work and play. But do we?
Taking a deeper look at your community by gathering data from different sources can help you better understand community strengths, needs and opportunities.
There are several different ways to build a greater understanding of your community. You can start simple by:
- Creating a community profile
- Developing a community asset map
Or you can dig deeper using comprehensive assessments that take a deeper look at your community and the factors that influence health.
By layering your personal experiences in your community with the information you gathered you are ready to identify priorities and create a plan for your community.
Relationships are the Greatest Asset - Molly's Story
Need help getting started? Check out step 2 of the AHC Action Guide for guidance on how to create a community profile, asset map or carry out a comprehensive community assessment.
Tools and Resources:
- The Community Capacity Assessment Tool: an opportunity to reflect on and ask questions about engaging partners, leveraging resources, skills, knowledge, and creating a shared vision
Community Capacity Assessment Tool - The Healthy Places Action Tool: provides an assessment of the following focus areas: physical activity, healthy eating, tobacco reduction, alcohol reduction, UV protection, and cancer screening
Healthy Places Action Tool - Alberta Community Health Dashboard: provides you with the most-up-to date data on your community
- Login to the Community Library to access appendices associated with step two of the AHCA:
- Community Profile – Guide Appendix E
- Collective Team Assets Inventory – Guide Appendix F
“Data can tell us about our communities: we were holding assumptions and not recognizing when change was happening.”
~ Community member of Stettler
Community Stories
View all stories
We are collecting stories on how communities are creating healthy places and spaces. If you have a story or idea about your own community we would love to hear it!
External Resources
Alberta Community Health Dashboard
Locally relevant, up-to-date information to help communities identify health needs.
Asset Bassed Community Development - Tamarack
Healthy Neighborhoods, Healthy Cities
Alberta Municipal Affairs
Assists municipalities in providing well-managed, collaborative, and accountable local government to Albertans.
- Horne, L., Bass, V., & Silva, S. (2013). Multisector coalitions build healthier communities through ACHIEVE initiative. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 19, 281-283.
- Stewart, M., Visker, J. D., & Cox, C. C. (2013). Community health policy assessment of a rural northeast missouri county using the centers for disease control and prevention's CHANGE tool. Health Promotion Perspectives, 3, 1-10.
- Kim, S., Adamson, K. C., Balfanz, D. R., Brownson, R. C., Wiecha, J. L., Shepard, D., & Alles, W. F. (2010). Development of the community healthy living index: A tool to foster healthy environments for the prevention of obesity and chronic disease.50, Supplement, S85.
- Health Planners Toolkit, Module 5, Health Systems Intelligence Report 2006, Community Engagement http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/repository/mon/15000/268203.pdf
- Ennis, G. & West, D. (2010). Exploring the potential of social network analysis in asset-based community development practice and research. Australian Social Work, 63(4): 404-4173
- Asset-Based Community Development https://www.tamarackcommunity.ca/communitydevelopment
