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This module introduces the concept of healthy communities and their role in improving the overall health of diverse populations. Learn about the principles of the Healthy Communities Movement and successful initiatives.
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Healthy Communities Movement D. Beth Kennedy, M.S. Laurine T. Charles, M.H.S. S.C. Area Health Education Consortium 19 Hagood Avenue Suite 802 P.O. Box 250814 Charleston, SC 29425-0814 kennedyb@musc.edu charlelt@musc.edu
Developed as part of an Enhanced AHEC Community Partnership for Health Professions Workforce and Educational Reform project funded by the Health Resource and Service Administration (HRSA)
Objectives • Healthy Community movement • Successful healthy community initiatives
Healthy Communities Purpose This module is designed to introduce the concepts of healthy communities for improving the health of diverse populations
What is Health? • Health is more than physical well being • World Health Organization definition: “Health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease”. WHO, 1947
What is Community? • Defined by the people in it. • Determined by geographic lines, cultural lines, economics or other factors. • All communities have assets.
Discussion Time • What is your definition of a healthy community? • What helps us measure health?
Schools Low crime rate Good jobs Access to health care Good race relations Safety of all Culture/art Community spirit Lack of fear Low teen pregnancy, low infant mortality Ample care for individuals with chronic and acute disease Affordable housing What Helps UsMeasure Health?
The Healthy Communities Movement • Community-based health and quality of life improvement initiatives • Locally determined focus • Well-informed people work together in a process to make local change
Healthy Community Principles • Broad definition of “health” • Broad definition of “community” • Shared vision from community values
Healthy Community Principles • Address quality of life for everyone • Diverse participation, widespread ownership • Focus on “systems change” • Build capacity using local assets and resources • Benchmark and measure progress and outcomes
Pieces of the Puzzle • Knowledge of the Environment • Identifying Resources • Forging Collaboration • Creating Ownership • Measuring Performance
Knowledge of the Environment • Environmental Scan • Demographics • Research
Environmental Scan • Brief but important step in healthy communities planning • Early in the effort, it is valuable for stakeholders to develop a broadly shared understanding of the major events, trends, technologies, issues, and forces that affect the health profile of their community.
Demographics • Define a population by its age, sex, race distribution • US Census Bureau primary data source, reported down to the household level. Significant trends: • Growth in elderly population • Shift in racial mix
Demographics • Describe the disparities in health outcomes of a population. • Documented gap between majority and minority populations • African -Americans and Hispanics carry much heavier burden of disease than whites
Research • Structured investigation which builds and test hypotheses. • Health status • Health determinants • Disease • Environmental threats to health • Health care systems • Other issues
Health indicators Incidence Prevalence Mortality Case Fatality Proportional Mortality Health Statistics Sources Centers for Disease Control National Institutes of Health State Budget & Control Board Research
Identifying and Mobilizing Resources • Asset-based community development • Starts with what is present in the community, the capacity of its residents, workers, associations, and institutional base - not with what is absent, problematic, or needed John McKnight
Identifying Strategic Partners: The Usual Suspects • Government • Religious leaders • Industry • Police • Healthcare community
“Not Your Usual Suspects” • Front porch experts • Gatekeeper to the community • Street sage • Elders • Unemployed, disenfranchised
Forging Collaboration • “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
Developing RelationshipsFor Health • Understanding a community • Culture, economics, assets: those things that define it • Meeting the people and listening to their stories • Recognizing they are the experts on their community • Guided dialogue: A tool for getting to know a community
Creating Ownership • Shared vision • Inclusion of all • Acceptances of differences • Respect for all viewpoints
Measuring Performance • Methods for monitoring success or failure of community development provide documentation • Important in seeking additional support for continuous improvement of health and economics
PRO Hampton County Hampton, SC Partners for a Healthy Community Anderson, SC Tillery, NC National Award Winning Healthy Community Successful Examples
The PRO Hampton CountyDiabetes Connection Diane Kennedy, MS, MT(ASCP)SH Chairperson, Diabetes Connection Associate Director, Low Country AHEC
Health & Life-Styles Inter-Group Relations Economics Community Members LC-AHEC Diabetes Initiative Interdisciplinary Students Local community Local health professionals Genesis of Diabetes Connection Healthy Communities PRO Hampton County Education • Boys & Girls Clubs • Diabetes Connection
4 Subcommittees • Education • Support/Service • Screening • Finance • Duke Endowment Grant • Local and Regional Pharmaceutical vendors
Community Diabetes Education • Banners and billboards • Newspaper articles • Radio • Grocery bags • Update local libraries
Support/Service • Certified Diabetes Education (CDE) • Monthly diabetes support group • Quarterly Cooking Classes • Educational/support workshops • Hampton County diabetes registry
Screening • At-Risk for Diabetes • ADA Risk Assessment Survey • BP, HT, WT, BMI • Fasting Plasma Glucose, Cholesterol Profile • Those with Diabetes • BP, HT, WT, BMI • Hgb A1c, Cholesterol Profile, Urine Test (kidneys) • Feet, Eye, Dental Screenings • Counseling/Education
Partners for a Healthy Community Anderson, SC • Partners Healthwise Initiative • Health Ministry • “Out of the Blues”
Healthy Communities Award Winner: Tillery, NC • Forty Acres and a Mule • Citizen’s Action Group • CHAP • The Health Clinic • HELP
Keys to Success • Broad community representation • Shared vision of committed citizens • Collaboration between local talent and outside experts • Development of action and policy to make healthier communities
Summary • Building healthy communities requires involvement of many diverse resources • The Healthy Communities Movement has had great success in improving the health of communities • Environment is a critical element for the health of a community and its members
SummaryContinued • True collaborations require • Trust building • Conflict resolution • Listening • Following • Knowledge of the environment and those who live in it
Discussion Time • Describe what a healthy community for you would be. • What do you and your community need to get there?