What is the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment?

The JSNA is a continuous process. The content below is to be archived and new content has been moved to new webpages, Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.

The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) is a process by which local authorities and Clinical Commissioning Groups assess the current and future health, care and wellbeing needs of the local community to inform local decision making.

The JSNA:

  • Characterises the health and wellbeing status of the local population
  • Identifies inequalities
  • Illustrates trends
  • Describes local community views
  • Highlights the key findings

Background to the JSNA

JSNAs were introduced by the Department of Health in April 2008 to strengthen joint working between the NHS (National Health Service) and local authorities.

The Health and Social Care Act 2012 awarded the responsibility for the JSNA and developing a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy to Health and Wellbeing Boards, with the purpose of reducing inequalities and improving the health and wellbeing of the whole community.

Further guidance

JSNA topics

1. Population

2. Wider determinants of health

3. Healthy lifestyles

4. Children, young people and their families

5. Adults

6. Older people

Last reviewed: 16/11/2022