Six strategies to help improve community health
Individuals thrive in healthy communities and form the foundation of a healthy lifestyle in an individual. Communities provide the infrastructure, facilities, and educational and emotional support to accelerate the growth of healthy individuals.
Governments worldwide strive for healthy communities by providing infrastructures like hospitals and health care centers. Other initiatives like public awareness programs and health drives are conducted to ensure the health of the communities.
However, governments’ provision of health and well-being initiatives for large swaths of the population in geographically diverse areas is a significant challenge. Therefore, many communities, particularly low-income and underprivileged, rely on the combined and sustained efforts of the people to make their surroundings healthy and safe.
With that in mind, we have outlined a few strategies that can benefit communities and governments and improve a community’s overall health and physical fitness.
1: Identification and Prioritization of the Community Needs
The first step in formulating any strategy is identifying and prioritizing the particular health needs of a community. No two communities are alike, and a universal fit-to-all health solution can’t be workable in diverse communities.
Although establishing a sustainable healthy community is a long-term process, this step can provide immediate relief to the pressing concerns of the people. It can also alleviate any danger of a potential public health emergency and provides strategies for control and prevention.
However, the critical nature of this step requires well-equipped and skilled individuals who are well-versed in developing and implementing community health strategies. Individuals with masters in public health are particularly valuable at this stage.
Every community has diverse health needs and requirements. For example, a retired people community will benefit from telehealth and at-home health services, while a low-income community might be dealing with a substance abuse emergency and in dire need of rehabilitation facilities.
The identification of the health concerns of a community is of equal importance. Without this step, a targeted solution can not be devised for a community. These health concerns can then be prioritized according to the particular needs of the community
2: Formulating a Course of Action
Once the high-priority health needs are identified, the community can formulate a good course of action to achieve the desired health goals. Community institutes like schools, hospitals, health care centers, gyms, and sports complexes can be involved in health and well-being concerns.
For example, if a community desires to cultivate healthy lifestyle habits in children, different in and after-school programs can be initiated with the help of sports coaches and nutritionists.
Community outreach programs like a walk/run, farmer’s markets, healthy cooking contests, etc., can be utilized to increase public awareness of the issue.
In addition to the involvement and contribution of the community, the government and health sector can also devise an action plan to achieve a healthy community.
3: Establishing Short and Long-Term Goals
Every health concern will have short and long-term goals, and community health will benefit from establishing plans to eliminate or reduce the particular health problem. These goals can be related to the issue’s cure and long-term prevention.
For example, in a community with chronic diabetes, a short-term goal can be a blood-screening drive in hospitals and healthcare facilities and collecting necessary data. A long-term goal, after the analysis of the data, can be encouraging an active lifestyle by promoting gyms and running contests.
Regardless of the nature of the health concern, establishing goals is the backbone for community involvement. When short-term goals are completed, community involvement is increased in the future course of action.
4: Community Outreach Programs
Outreach programs ensure that all community members are involved in health improvement initiatives.
These programs create equity in a community and develop connections and support systems. All community members should participate in any community health drive to flourish and progress.
Since healthy lifestyle changes can not be introduced to children without the involvement of the parents, parents need education and support to introduce necessary changes in their homes.
However, with adequate outreach programs, the needs and limitations of parents can be accessed, and the community can collectively provide solutions for the problem. Outreach programs create a sense of empowerment and connection within a community.
A healthy community results from every individual’s active participation and involvement.
5: Provision of Facilities
Community health depends on the provision of healthcare facilities and the quality of the care provided. Without adequate infrastructure, a healthy community can not survive.
Access to health care is a fundamental human right. One of the leading causes of unhealthy communities is a lack of access to healthcare facilities.
Hospitals and clinics are an essential part of any community. At the same time, there must be sufficient doctors and nursing staff to cater to the community’s healthcare needs. However, in vulnerable communities, there is always a lack of skilled health staff or proper equipment.
Communities should engage health workers and caregivers to reach out to far-fetched populations to ensure a healthy community. In a broader context, health-promoting facilities like gardens and playgrounds should be easily accessible to promote an active lifestyle.
6: Coalition of Stakeholders
A healthy community reflects the efforts and involvement of all stakeholders. Government, community, NGOs, hospitals, health insurance, and pharmaceutical companies all have to work collectively for a healthy population.
Government should devise health drives in consultation with the members of a particular community. Communities should be well-informed about the long-term programs of the government to achieve the desired health goals.
When the community is involved in decision-making, it is easier to own and sustain the programs. These coalitions between the institutes are fundamental in achieving a healthy community, mainly because most healthcare concerns demand long and sustained efforts.
Conclusion
A healthy community is a combined effort of all members of society for the population’s well-being. These efforts include the prevention and spread of diseases, educational and emotional support groups, and accessible healthcare for every member of the community.
Adequate physical healthcare leads to mentally healthy people and stronger, well-connected communities. Community health transforms the lives of people and ensures happy living.
