Oral

State and local partnerships play a key role in addressing the dynamic health needs of a community. To influence change on the local community level, state and local health departments must collaborate with community residents to assess and improve health systems. The involvement of the community in health planning and implementation can allow state and local health departments to address the health needs of all aspects of the community. Presenters will elaborate on the challenges, barriers and benefits which the involvement of community residents presents to multi-sectoral strategic health planning, implementation and policy-making.

Session Objectives: 1) Describe and apply a multi-share coverage strategy for the working uninsured and for improving healthcare access for rural populations. 2) Learn how public state- local partnerships in a community-driven strategic planning process can lead to a health plan that reflects the needs of all aspects of the community. 3) Identify opportunities, challenges and benefits to including community based participatory research in community health planning, prioritization, implementation and policy-making

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing