A Community Health Assessment or CHA, is a collaborative assessment conducted at least every five years by a Local Health Department to describe the health of the population, identify areas for health improvement, contributing factors that impact health outcomes and community assets and resources that can be mobilized to improve population health. 

A Community Health Improvement Plan or CHIP, is a collaborative plan conducted by a Local Health Department (LHD) that builds upon the Community Health Assessment to set priorities, direct the use of resources, and develop and implement projects, programs, and policies to improve the health of the population of the jurisdiction that the LHD serves.