This tool was developed to quickly and reliably assess small-area health status and health needs for use by decision-makers and service providers as well as community groups and non-profit providers of publicly-funded services. The tool allows users to collect information on several topics including health status, health care use, health behaviours and neighbourhood services.
A toolkit has also been developed that includes a manual and user guide as well as a set of best practices for knowledge translation to guide potential users from the survey planning stage all the way to the final stages of data interpretation and dissemination. This manual and appendices to the manual, including the survey tool, are available below.
The survey was piloted in four Toronto neighbourhoods (South Parkdale, North St. Jamestown, Weston, and Eglington East) which produced valuable information for service planning, program development and advocacy in these neighbourhoods.
