The purpose of this presentation is to share the experience of a local health department and two community public/private health care partnerships. The challenge is for improved health care. The opportunity is what is gained by members enhancing each other’s capacity, by sharing risks, responsibilities and rewards. The first exemplar discusses a community-based/community-wide information system for data and computer application to track childhood immunizations. An initiative of the Peninsula Health District, this immunization tracking system was one of the first community-wide, immunization data base efforts in Virginia to connect public and private immunization records. By developing effective and enduring alliances with the community, and by empowering a community and its leaders, this system is utilized to reduce missed immunization opportunities in an effort to increase the percentage of children adequately immunized by age two. The second exemplar discusses mobilization of the Cancer Coalition in the Peninsula Health District and Hampton Virginia area. Discussion will include the initial catalyst, characteristics of successful coalitions, sustained motivators, interventions and outcomes. The Cancer Coalition has on-going education and awareness initiatives, as well as screening activities for disenfranchised vulnerable populations. Examples of collaborative planning, support interventions, and sustained commitment from coalition members and agencies will be discussed. Coalition members provide for client recruitment to community-based programs. Members also build the community-based infrastructure to recruit professionals and grass roots volunteers to join this partnership.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Partnerships, Information Systems
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Peninsula Health District, Newport News, VA;
City of Newport News, Virginia;
Peninsula Immunization Partnership;
Peninsula Cancer Prevention Coalition
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.