Collaboration and community participation are becoming increasingly important in public health. The most common way for people and organizations in communities to collaborate is through project-specific, time-limited partnerships. The nine Turning Point communities participating in the Public Health Governance Workgroup are attempting to achieve a more fundamental transformation in their health systems by developing procedures and structures that make broad participation in basic public health activities "business as usual." This presentation will provide an overview of the approaches these communities are using to involve a broad array of people and organizations in three basic public health activities: defining and assessing community health, prioritizing health issues, and taking collective action to address health priorities. Special attention will be paid to the kinds of supports that are required to make involvement meaningful and feasible for community residents who are not professionals or service providers, and to the benefits of broadening influence and involvement in these public health activities for participants and the community. The presentation will conclude by focusing on issues that need to be addressed to tailor approaches to the local environment and to sustain broad participation in basic public health activities over time. See www.cacsh.org
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: - Describe practical strategies and supports for promoting broad, meaningful involvement in basic public health activities - Identify key issues in sustaining broad participation in public health activities over time
Keywords: Public Health Infrastructure, Community Health Planning
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.