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In Ohio, there has been a recent but concerted effort from the state health department down through the local health departments to complete community health assessment studies for the prioritization and delivery of health services in their respective communities. At the same time, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations has been actively encouraging hospitals to assess targeted communities prior to the delivery of community-based services. In a changing health care system that demands greater emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention, new alliances are born of necessity, with collaborative products and benefits to all involved. A local health department and a community hospital in south central Ohio that was jointly owned by the city and county, in consultation with a neighboring state university, embarked on a 1 1/2-year study to define, prioritize, and plan service delivery for the community through Health Watch 2000. Six priority health areas based on national health objectives were determined along with subsequent health planning recommendations, leading to the ultimate goal of healthy people in healthy communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]