Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA)
Understanding community health needs
Boston Children’s Hospital conducts a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years as required by the Internal Revenue Service.
In 2025, Boston Children’s conducted its latest CHNA to identify the health-related needs, strengths, and resources available to children, youth, families, and residents in Boston — with special emphasis on the neighborhoods of Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mission Hill, and Roxbury. The assessment also looked at children living in the communities served by Boston Children’s locations outside of Boston, which include Brockton, Brookline, Framingham, Lexington, North Dartmouth, Peabody, Quincy, Randolph, Waltham, and Weymouth.
The assessment shows that many families are struggling with rising housing costs, food insecurity, and limited access to health care — especially mental health services. Youth mental health concerns are widespread, with high rates of anxiety and depression, particularly among LGBTQ+ and immigrant youth. Chronic conditions like asthma and obesity remain prevalent, disproportionately affecting communities of color. Environmental health issues, including air pollution and climate change, are emerging threats to child development and well-being. Safety concerns in schools and neighborhoods also impact youth, contributing to stress and missed school days. Despite these challenges, the assessment underscores the resilience of Boston’s communities and their commitment to creating healthier, more equitable environments for children to grow and thrive.
This assessment informs the Community Health Implementation Plan, which outlines how Boston Children’s plans to address the needs identified through 2028.
2025 Community Health Needs Assessment
For details about the process and findings, please see the materials below.
The Boston Children's Board of Trustees approved the assessment and improvement plan in the fall of 2025.
Listening and learning
A comprehensive assessment is only one way that Boston Children’s works to understand health needs. The staff from the Office of Community Health are always listening and learning from others about how the hospital can use its expertise to support community health. Boston Children’s welcomes comments on its most recently completed Community Health Needs Assessment and implementation strategy. Comments may be submitted by email to TalkToUs@childrens.harvard.edu or by mail to Boston Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave., BCH 3173, Boston, MA 02115. Attention: Shari Nethersole, MD, Vice President, Community Health and Engagement.
Past Community Health Needs Assessment materials
2022