THRIVE: Tool for Health and Resilience in Vulnerable Environments

Research has shown that even after adjusting for individual risk factors, there are neighborhood differences in health outcomes. The neighborhood conditions that contribute to health disparities are related to a history of bias directed against people of color. These conditions in the community environment, such as deteriorated housing, poor education, limited employment opportunities, limited household resources, and ready availability of cheap high-fat foods, are particularly exacerbated in low-income neighborhoods where people of color are more likely to live. The complex relationship of place, ethnicity, and poverty manifests differently in different places and requires a community health approach that leverages local knowledge.

Prevention Institute developed the web tool THRIVE (Tool for Health and Resilience in Vulnerable Environments) to help communities identify, prioritize, and develop action plans for targeting factors affecting health. Based on input from a national expert panel and piloted successfully in urban, suburban and rural settings, THRIVE guides users through an interactive process. THRIVE can improve the ability of local advocates and practitioners to reduce health disparities by changing the way people think about health and safety, providing an evidence-based framework for change, and identifying potential links to decision makers and other resources. Using THRIVE as part of a community planning process can help establish a broad vision for health, prioritize specific factors that the community wants to strengthen, identify specific activities, and catalyze action. The tool guides users through an action menu with concrete strategies for improving community conditions in vulnerable environments. The action menu includes sections on model policies, partnerships, community examples, and links to additional resources. By integrating the inputs and priorities of multiple users, the tool can help facilitate local collaboration and community participation in agenda-setting and decision-making, an essential part of building community capacity.