Problem Statement Template
Overview
Writing a problem statement is an important step carrying out evidence-based public health
practice. When written effectively it can be a useful tool in the review and selection of effective
prevention strategies. Based on the literature, NACCHO recommends that LHDs write problem
statements that paint a clear picture of the primary health concerns in their jurisdictions by
providing a concise description of the community’s long-term vision, the health problem to be
addressed, the target population affected, socioecological determinants compounding the issue,
key stakeholders involved, the historical context of the health problem, and
opportunities/priorities for prevention .
To craft an effective problem statement, LHDs should refer to findings from their Community
Health Assessments and ensure their problem statement answers the questions below:







What is the health problem?
Whom is affected?
What are the risk factors?
What social, individual, policy, environmental, or other factors are involved?
How do the issues impact the community’s long-term vision?
What are the prevention opportunities?
Who are the potential stakeholders?
To view an example of an LHD problem statement, read the sample problem statement
provided below:
Sample Problem Statement
Background/Public Health Issue. In 2012, Y state health department
charged X County Health Department with developing and implementing
plan for reducing the rate of obesity among school aged-children as part of a statewide vision
for fit and healthy communities.
In response, X County Health Department conducted a community health assessment, which
revealed that over 28% of fourth graders in public schools are overweight or obese. In spite of
the CDC recommendation that all children be physically active for 60 minutes or more daily,
only slightly more than half of the students (56%) indicated they are physically active for an
hour or more six to seven days per week.
Additional data collected from the assessment showed that about 45% of students spend 4 hours
a more engaged in sedentary screen-time activities, including playing video or computer games,
surfing the internet, and watching television, DVDs, and videotapes. This amount exceeds the
American Pediatrics recommendations for screen time among children by 50% and may explain
the high level of inactivity among 4th graders in X County.
Thirty-percent of the parents of children surveyed stated they thought it would be difficult to
enforce a reduction in screen-time among their children due to the following reasons: 1) Their
child would have a negative reaction (e.g. throw tantrums); 2) Their child would become bored
and the parent would have to find other ways to keep their child occupied; and 3) Their
neighborhood wasn’t safe enough for them to feel comfortable with their children playing
outdoors or visiting the nearest recreation center.
X County Health Department recognizes the vital role that excess-screen time plays in the lack
of physical activity impacting the escalating obesity epidemic affecting youth in X. To
increase physical activity among youth, it is necessary to reduce screen-time among children
and build their parent’s skills to support them in being physically active.
Programmatic Issues.
Upon reviewing the assessment data, Y State Health Department funded X County Health
Department to develop and implement a plan to eliminate childhood obesity among school-aged
children in X County within a 12 month timeframe.
Solutions Being Considered. Program staff, policy
makers, and advisory groups have proposed numerous
solutions, including: (1) a community-wide campaign to increase physical activity among
children, (2) Support for parents to integrate physical activity into their child’s daily routine,
and (3) policies that are aimed at creating places where children can play safely.
Potential partners for carrying out these solutions include parents, media outlets, businesses,
schools, and members from the transportation sector.