Impact of SDOH on community capacity: Lessons learned

To improve the health and well-being of residents, it is crucial for communities to understand the underlying causes of their current health outcomes. Based on this perspective, CommonHealth ACTION (CHA) has used the social determinants of health as an integral part of its approach to community-based technical assistance. In this session, CHA's work with Place Matters (a national initiative of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, designed to improve health outcomes by addressing the social determinants of health through the effective use of data and local policy interventions) and the Port Towns Community Health Partnership (part of Kaiser Permanente's Community Health Initiatives, an effort across eight regions to reduce obesity by engaging community stakeholders in advocacy, policy development, planning, and implementation) will be examined. Both projects involve the engagement of local community members, at various levels, to develop strategies that influence and inform policy development in ways that positively affect health outcomes. While CHA encounters challenges guiding community members through technical assistance processes, significant progress has been made and opportunities have emerged. In the spirit of continued learning, CHA has begun to document the results of its efforts to assist communities with building their capacity to address the social determinants of health. This discussion will explore the challenges and successes achieved through CHA's technical assistance; strategies implemented to increase community capacity; as well as lessons learned by the technical assistance providers from these experiences. Roundtable participants will be encouraged to share similar experiences and lessons learned.