To conduct a community assessment in a form of an interview and physical appraisal, you will need to:

1. Choose a community to assess. This could be a neighborhood, town, city, or county.
2. Identify a key informant. This could be a community leader, social worker, public health professional, or other person who is knowledgeable about the community.
3. Develop an interview guide. This should include questions about the following:
   • Demographics (e.g., age, race/ethnicity, income, education)
   • Socioeconomic status
   • Health status
   • Access to healthcare
   • Quality of life
   • Community assets and resources
   • Community challenges and needs
4. Conduct the interview. This can be done in person, by phone, or by video conference.
5. Take notes during the interview. This will help you to remember the key points that are discussed.
6. Review your notes after the interview. This will help you to identify any patterns or themes that emerged.
7. Conduct a physical appraisal of the community. This should include observations of the following:
   • Housing conditions
   • Neighborhood safety
   • Access to transportation
   • Access to healthy food and recreation
   • Environmental quality
8. Document your findings. This could be in the form of a written report, presentation, or infographic.

Example Community Assessment Interview Guide

Demographics

• What is the population of the community?
• What is the age distribution of the community?
• What is the racial/ethnic makeup of the community?
• What is the income level of the community?
• What is the education level of the community?

Socioeconomic status

• What is the unemployment rate in the community?
• What is the poverty rate in the community?
• What is the crime rate in the community?

Health status

• What are the leading causes of death in the community?
• What are the leading causes of illness in the community?
• What is the rate of chronic diseases in the community?
• What is the rate of infectious diseases in the community?

Access to healthcare

• Do residents have access to affordable healthcare?
• Do residents have access to quality healthcare?
• Do residents have access to preventative healthcare?

Quality of life

• Are residents satisfied with the quality of life in the community?
• Do residents feel safe in the community?
• Do residents have access to the resources and services they need?

Community assets and resources

• What are the strengths of the community?
• What resources are available to residents?
• What organizations are working to improve the community?

Community challenges and needs

• What are the challenges facing the community?
• What are the needs of the community?

Example Community Appraisal Observations

Housing conditions

• Are homes in good repair?
• Are homes overcrowded?
• Are homes affordable?

Neighborhood safety

• Are streets and sidewalks well-lit?
• Are there any areas of the community that are considered to be unsafe?
• Is there a visible police presence in the community?

Access to transportation

• Is there public transportation available in the community?
• Is it easy for residents to get around without a car?

Access to healthy food and recreation

• Are there grocery stores that sell healthy food in the community?
• Are there parks and recreation facilities available in the community?

Environmental quality

• Is the air clean in the community?
• Is the water clean in the community?
• Is there any noise pollution in the community?

Conclusion

By conducting a community assessment in a form of an interview and physical appraisal, you can gain a better understanding of the community’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This information can then be used to develop programs and interventions that address the community’s needs.