YOUR HEALTH - YOUR SAY - A CASE-STUDY OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN A COMMUNITY-HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROJECT IN A REGIONAL CITY OF AUSTRALIA

During 1991-1992 a review of community health needs was undertaken in the regional city of Lismore, NSW, Australia. The project involved mem bers of the community, local government and other state government age ncies in the identification and assessment of needs, the policy develo pment process and planning of programmes and services. Data was collec ted on demographic characteristics, health status and service use. Dir ect contact was made with residents via surveys, interviews, group dis cussions and the media. Problems encountered included both philosophic al and methodological dilemmas such as differing values, demands and e xpectations of participating agencies and individuals. Practical probl ems included financial and other resource constraints, the size of the study area (area and population) and issues relating to data collecti on and use.