Objetive

The Health Situation Analysis (ASIS in Spanish) is a methodology that has been implemented recently in Colombia. This study aims at understanding the experience of building, disseminating and using ASIS for decision-making in some territorial entities.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were applied to officials of the departmental health entities. The information was analyzed according to a set of categories previously established.

Results

The territorial entities implement ASIS by incorporating the Social Determinants of Health approach; however, the technical, economic and human capacities for the elaboration of this type of analysis are not equitable. Intersectoral and social participation is still weak and the results do not guide the decision making at territorial level yet.

Conclusions

The ASIS methodology seeks to position itself as one of the official mechanisms to generate evidence that guides health policy and decision making at national, regional and local levels. There are economic, institutional and political challenges for its consolidation as a useful strategy in health planning. ASIS is a methodology of great relevance for the territorial entities and its implementation should be further strengthened.