Joint strategic needs assessments (JSNAs) analyse the health needs of populations to inform and guide commissioning of health, well-being and social care services within local authority areas. The JSNA will underpin the health and well-being strategies, a proposed new statutory requirement and commissioning plans.
The main goal of a JSNA is to accurately assess the health needs of a local population in order to improve the physical and mental health and well-being of individuals and communities. The NHS and upper-tier local authorities have had a statutory duty to produce an annual JSNA since 2007.