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Training Needs Assessment

September 1, 2010 by Bill Holden

The Regional Center provides a wide variety of trainings throughout the year. Trainings topics in the past have ranged from social marketing to creative ways to present data to the social determinants of health. What trainings would you like the Regional Center for Healthy Communities provide this year? Please take a few minutes to fill out our 2010 Metrowest Regional Center Training Needs Assessment. Your feedback will assist us in planning our calendar for the coming year.

 
To fill out the brief survey go to:
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/339081/Training-Needs-Assessment-2010
 
Thank you for your input!
 
RCHC Staff

A healthy and tasty start to life...

August 27, 2010 by Stacy Carruth

 

News on obesity seems to be everywhere, and the statistics are really alarming. For example, 26% of Massachusetts high school students are overweight or obese, and obesity rates have more than doubled in the past two decades. At the RCHC, we were all really excited to see that the Massachusetts statehouse recently passed a school nutrition bill, and we know this will go a long way towards starting young people off on the right foot towards a healthy life. Here are some of the main points of the bill:

 

 

* Healthy standards for snacks and beverages sold in vending machines at schools (standards will encourage greater consumption of water, low- and non-fat milk, juice, reduced fat and sugar in snacks, and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables).

* Easier purchase of produce from local farmers

* Establishes a Commission on Childhood Obesity to create a state-wide plan * Requires DPH and Dept. of Early and Secondary Education to set guidelines for training school nurses to help children with diabetes and eating disorders (and to collect data and evaluation these conditions).

A link to the bill: www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw10/sl100197.htm

 *From: Protect Our Children’s Health, a fact sheet created by the Massachusetts Public Health Association 2010

Not Just Where Health Ends, but Where it Starts

August 26, 2010 by Laura Cody

In an earlier blog (May 28, 2010), we mentioned that we were looking for new ways to talk about social determinants of health in ways that made sense to general audiences.  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently released a report that addresses this issue.  When they tested responses to the phrase “social determinants of health” it consistently tested poorly.  They were hoping to indentify a proxy phrase for “social determinants” which was not successful, but they did uncover some of the important metaphors for Republicans and Democrats and tested several scripts for effectiveness in explaining the desired concept to general audiences.  The complete report including a recording and slides from a recent webinar can be accessed at http://www.rwjf.org/pr/product.jsp?id=66428.  Below are some of the key highlights from the webinar and report. 

Democrats tend to talk about a “system” that has broken down leading to inequities in outcomes and poverty.  And because it is a system, you can’t address just one part and hope for an adequate solution.  They also talk about a “right” to equality and health and feel angry when this doesn’t exist (see slides 12-18 in the PowerPoint). 

 Republicans talked about life as a “journey” in which “choosing” bad paths leads to unhealthy outcomes.  They talk about the ability to change this situation with a lot more optimism than Democrats do.  In their view, access to resources makes a successful journey more likely, but resources are finite and can’t be guaranteed for everyone.  This means that the word “balance” to them means bringing some down so that others can have more.  Instead, establishing a suitable minimum is more acceptable (see slides 19-25). 

 These are deeply held views about the world and we, as public health practitioners, have to be careful to know who our audience is and what networks (mental images, frames) we are activating when we talk. 

 The RWJF researchers created and tested several messages based on these frames such as:

It's time we made it possible for all Americans to afford to see a doctor, but it's also time we made it less likely that they need to. Where people live, work, learn, and play has an enormous impact whether they stay well in the first place. Health starts in strong, loving families and in neighborhoods with sidewalks safe for walking and grocery stores with fresh vegetables. Health starts in jobs we can get to without hours of commuting and in work places free of unnecessary hazards. Health starts in schools that educate our children for the jobs of the 21st century so they can compete in the world economy, that feed them healthy meals rather than junk foods, and that send them home safe at the end of the day. And health starts in having the time and financial resources to play at the end of a hard day's work, because unrelieved stress takes its toll on our hearts and immune systems. As we work on fixing health care in America, we need to start where health starts, not just where it ends.

(See more on slides 41-44 in the PowerPoint)

 

Some of the keys to the success of these messages were to

  • Prime the audience with things they already believe
  • Use colloquial, emotional language
  • Use one compelling fact (not a barrage)
  • Offer solutions
  • Incorporate personal behavior (this is an important frame that many people hold)
  • Mix traditionally conservative and traditionally progressive values (it may help to start with ideas on the political right and move to the left so that audiences we’re trying to reach don’t tune out)
  • Highlight how it affects all Americans
  • Lead with something inspirational, then go to something specific, then back to something inspirational

In fact, these are good lessons for pretty much any health message.  And just like other messages you might be writing, think about your audience, the message that you’re trying to get across, and TEST, refine, and TEST AGAIN. 

Hopefully we can begin to use this research in how we talk about where health starts, not just where it ends.  

More Walking…and Talking: Walking as Community Building

August 23, 2010 by Laura Cody

Waltham and Milton, two of the communities in our region, both use walking to improve community health by simultaneously increasing levels of physical activity and building connections among community members and elected officials.  Healthy Waltham started its Walk and Talk with Elected Officials as a natural continuation of the walk program with the Waltham Land Trust as a way to explore the town.  The walks were held every Monday evening through the summer for three years.  The coordinator of Healthy Waltham, Judy Fallows, shared this model at a meeting at the Regional Center where Vicki McCarthy of Milton heard the idea and took it back to implement there. 

 

When Milton implemented their walks, just a few were organized each with a particular issue to be discussed.  For example, the planning board was considering approval of a zoning change from residential to commercial which would have allowed a chain drugstore in a neighborhood where a synagogue now stood.  The Milton Healthy Community group invited planning board members and others to come and walk in that neighborhood to see what an impact this would have there.  For example, the selectmen saw that the streets were too narrow and bustling with children to accommodate increased traffic that a chain store would bring.  And seeing a group of people walking through the neighborhood brought residents out of their homes where they were also able to share their story of how the store would impact them.  In the end, the town meeting decided not to approve the zoning change. 

 

Vicki McCarthy shared this experience at another meeting at the Regional Center where Judy Fallows was in attendance.  When Judy heard this take on the original model, she realized how this idea would actually help to increase the participation in Waltham’s walks.  So this summer, fewer walks were scheduled in Waltham and several of them had a particular topic assigned.  For example on August 23rd, the topic will be the schools and the school board, superintendent, principals, and teachers have been invited to walk and talk with interested community members. 

 

So while this is a story about walking and building connections within communities, it is also a story of connections between communities facilitated by the Regional Center.  Judy of Healthy Waltham talks about the importance of getting together with Vicki from Milton multiple times in meetings convened by the Regional Center to improve their original model. 

 

The Regional Center will continue to convene groups throughout the region to promote this type of cross-pollination and we encourage communities to connect individually as well.  Two opportunities you might be interested in:

1.) The Regional Center convenes coalitions in the region quarterly.  While this group is targeted toward substance abuse prevention coalitions, there are certainly elements of general coalition development and management that would be applicable to other groups.  The next inter-coalition meeting will be held October 4 from 10-1.  Please contact Stacy Carruth (scarruth@healthier-communities.org) if you would like more information. 

2.) Peter Lee of the Mass Partnership for Healthy Communities convenes graduates and current participants of the MassForum training to discuss their progress with healthy communities work in their towns.  Please contact Peter Lee (plee@hria.org) if you would like more information. 

 

Walkability Scores - Central Square gets 100%!

August 5, 2010 by Laura Cody

Another contribution by our guest blogger* and intern extaordinaire, Kate Russell. (*If you would like to be a guest blogger, please let us know!)

 

Sarah’s blog on Walk/Ride Day inspired me to think about what great walking cities Boston and Cambridge are. In fact, according to this interesting new website I found, walkscore.com, Boston is ranked as the third most walkable city of the US’s largest cities.

 

Walkscore brings up some interesting points about the financial, health, environmental and community benefits of walkable communities. While walking is known to have health benefits with an increase of exercise, and environmental benefits by contributing to fewer vehicles on the road and thus less pollution, the website describes what I thought were some lesser known facts about the benefits of walkable communities. For example, property value tends to increase as the walk-friendliness of a neighborhood increases and the less time spent driving means residents more actively participate in the community.

 

Here are some community attributes that Walkscore uses to give communities and specific addresses a walkscore out of 100 points:

  • A neighborhood or community center – a public space for gathering
  • Mixed income use – both affordable housing and businesses
  • Parks and public spaces for gathering and recreation
  • Pedestrian friendly design – available side walks
  • Schools and places of work close by
  • Complete streets – designated areas for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit

 

Since moving to Boston, I’ve noticed an exponential increase in my daily walking. It certainly helps that I no longer have a car, but because of the lay out of the city and accessible public transportation, I don’t need one! Walkscore ranks Boston as the third most walkable city, trailing only San Francisco and New York. Our very own Central Square where the Regional Center is located scores 100/100 for walkability!

 

This is also a cool site to use if you want to find out more about your neighborhood. I do feel that one minor community/area attribute was left out of the walkscore calculations: weather. I know my time spent walking diminishes greatly in during the winter in Boston!

Changes to our Library Hours

August 2, 2010 by Bill Holden

Please note, that effective July 15th, we have suspended our extended library hours on Tuesday evenings.  Our library will now be open Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

We will reassess our library hours this fall to determine if extended hours will once again be feasible.

Thank you for your support and understanding.

The Staff of the Regional Center.

 

Go Green and Get Some Exercise on Walk/Ride Day!

July 30, 2010 by Sarah Stewart

Bill, Charlene, and Sarah wear green for Walk/Ride DayWhen you were out and about today, did you happen to notice that a lot of people were wearing green? That’s because today is the Green Streets Initiative’s Walk/Ride Day! On the last Friday of every month, the Green Streets Initiative asks folks to walk, ride public transportation, or bike to their destinations instead of driving a car. The goal is to reduce the number of cars on the road, thereby reducing pollution. Many businesses provide incentives for people who participate in the day. For more information about Walk/Ride Day, visit the Green Streets Initiative website at www.gogreenstreets.org.

 
Most days you can catch the staff here biking, walking, or taking the train to work. Personally, I’ve started biking to work almost every day, and I love the fact that I get nearly an hour of exercise everyday without event thinking about it.Here at the Regional Center, we are very supportive of the idea of active transportation, which essentially means using a mode of transportation besides a car (and that requires you to engage in at least a little physical activity).  Active transportation has many potential health benefits, potentially reducing chronic disease (because more people are getting more exercise). Because there are fewer cars on the road, there are fewer accidents (and fewer injuries). And fewer cars also means cleaner air, which is great news for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also supports changes in transportation policy to make it easier for people to engage in According to their 2010 Transportation Recommendations,
 
“Expanding the availability of, safety for, and access to a variety of transportation options and integrating health-enhancing choices into transportation policy has the potential to save lives by preventing chronic diseases, reducing and preventing motor-vehicle-related injury and deaths, improving environmental health, while stimulating economic development, and ensuring access for all people.”   
 
The CDC sees manypotential benefits of Active Transportation (and policies that support it)– for health, for the environment, and for the economy. (See http://www.cdc.gov/transportation/ to see the CDC’s transportation policy in its entirety.)
 
On a last (bittersweet) note, today is also my last day here at the Regional Center. My husband and I are moving to Minnesota, where I am from. I’ll still be doing work in health promotion with the City of Minneapolis (which, incidentally, is a great city for biking!) While I am really looking forward to my move, I am also very sad to be leaving. I will miss the staff here and all of the community groups that I’ve had the chance to work with over the past couple of years. I feel privileged to have played a small part in the great work that you do, and I appreciate all that I have learned from you!

 

New Federal Health Care website

July 22, 2010 by Laura Cody

The federal government launched Healthcare.gov, a user friendly website designed to provide information on both public and private insurance options, new health care legislation, and how the Affordable Care Act affects you.

 

Healthcare.gov

 

The website is easy to navigate and provides tailored information about individual plans that may not be captured in the news. When I entered my information, (state of residency, age group, employment status, etc.) multiple insurance agencies and plans were provided. You’re then able to view the plans and go directly to the insurer’s website for more information. A key element the healthcare.gov is missing, however, are prices. Though it is in the eventual plan to provide prices along with the plan options, it is not currently available, making comparison a little difficult.

 

Another valuable tool on the site is the time line of the Affordable Care Act. Some elements of the Act go into effect this year, while the remainder will take place over the next four years. Take a look at this site for a visual of what is changing and when: http://www.healthcare.gov/law/timeline/index.html

 

While the site is still in its preliminary phases, it has some valuable information on health insurance options, hospital quality through the ‘Hospital Compare’ tool, and new grants made available by the Affordable Care Act. Throughout the site you’ll also find options to add comments. So check it out, what do you think?

 

Content by our guest blogger and intern extraordinaire, Kate Russell. 

 

Prevention Specialist Certification Coming to Massachusetts

July 19, 2010 by Laura Cody

A new certification for Prevention Specialists has been approved by the state credentialing board.  People working in the prevention field in Massachusetts can now become "Certified Prevention Specialists" or CPS.  This marks the beginning of the grand-parenting period where people currently in the field can get certified without taking the written exam. 

Requirements for the certification include documenting training and supervised prevention work (at least 51% of which must be in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse prevention) in five domains:

1) Planning and Evaluation
2) Education & Skill Development
3) Community Organization
4) Public Policy & Environmental Change
5) Professional Growth & Responsibility

For complete details, please see the Grandparenting Requirements, Application, Application Instructions, and Supervisor Forms

The Regional Center is currently investigating how we can be a resource for you as you apply for and keep up certification. 

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Directory of Metrowest Diversion and Restorative Justice Programs for Youth

July 16, 2010 by Stacy Carruth

The Regional Center has a directory of diversion and restorative justice programs in Metrowest that was researched and created last year by Sarah here at the center.  I realized that although we publicized it at the time it was completed, I don't think it's getting much use, so I thought I'd blog about it...

The National Center for Juvenile Justice defines diversion as "the practice of officially stopping or suspending a case prior to court adjudication and referring the juvenile to a community education, treatment, or work program in lieu of adjudication or incarceration." 

"Restorative justice is a process to involve, to the extent possible, those who have a stake in a specific offense and to collectively identify and address harms, needs, and obligations, in order to heal and put things as right as possible." - Howard Zehr, The Little Book of Restorative Justice

One example I remember hearing of restorative justice is about a young person who spray-painted a five and dime store in a local town.  As part of the restorative justice and reparation process, he worked in the store, and went on to become very good friends with the owner of the store (it was a long-time family business).  It's a nice example of how these programs can help mend the fabric of a community, and it highlights how this can also help young people to grow and learn from mistakes.

Take a look at the directory and see if there's a diversion program near you!

www.healthier-communities.org/files/Diversion and restorative justice directory FINAL 4.6.09.pdf

 

Library Updates and New Material

July 14, 2010 by Bill Holden

As the summer continues and the heat rises, we have been very busy in the resource library.  We completely redesigned the library to make it more user friendly and have included subject signs throughout in five different languages. We are constantly making changes and improvements to our materials and the library space in general, so come on in and see what's new.

We've just received several DVD's focusing on nutrition for youth and young adults.  These are now cataloged and ready to be checked out.  Two of the many titles are highlighted below.

Professor Regan's Supermarket Secrets:  Health Hype and Product Labels. 

Bold claims about the curative powers of "superfoods" and other trendy products represent a daunting challenge for today's consumer.  How reliable are these assertions?  What happens when a no-nonsense medical doctor applies rigorous scientific testing to the health hype on product labels?  This program takes viewers on an eye-opening journey led by Dr. Lesley Regan; from probiotics and organic foods to antibacterial sprays and cleaning powers, Dr. Regan cuts through confusing marketing speak to determine whether or not astonishing health and environmental benfits really exist.--Publisher's Website

Food Fight:  Childhood Obesity and the Food Industry.

In this ABC News program, John Donvan examines the food industry's marketing strategies to see if and to what extent they are responsible for America's epidemic of childhood obesity.  Industry initiatives to make and offer healthier foods are also presented.  Afterwards, anchor Chris Bury speaks with Kelly Brownell, director of the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders and Gene Grabowski of the Grocery manufactures of America. - Publisher's Website.

The New National Drug Control Strategy

June 21, 2010 by Stacy Carruth

The Obama administration recently released its new Drug Control Strategy, and we thought it would be great to give a short summary of the key points. If you read the highlights from the strategy (the link is listed below) you’ll see that prevention is recognized as being a “cost-effective, and common-sense” way to build healthy communities, which is nice to see!  It’s also great to see an emphasis on early intervention, and to see that treatment for chronic drug-using offenders is built into the plan. The strategy calls for a 15% reduction in youth drug use over 5 years.

The key objectives of the strategy include:

Strengthening efforts to prevent drug use in our communities: This emphasizes the importance of federal and state agencies adapting and remaining sensitive to the needs of communities (versus having communities adapt to the governmental agencies).

Seek early intervention opportunities in health care: Stresses the importance of (and documented success of) brief early intervention by primary care providers as a “more humane and less costly” way to intervene in addiction.

Integrate treatment for substance use disorders into health care, and expand support for recovery: The strategy calls for an expansion of addiction treatment in community health centers and the Indian Health Service.

Break the cycle of drug use, crime, delinquency, and incarceration: The strategy supports law enforcement in reducing availability, and “promoting alternatives to incarceration, and mandating treatment and court monitoring for chronic drug-using offenders.”

Other key objectives include: disrupting domestic drug trafficking and production, in part by “interdicting the southbound flow of currency and weapons”; strengthening international partnerships, which includes promoting alternative livelihoods for coca and opium farmers; improving information systems for analysis, assessment, and local management, which includes enhancing data systems.

National Drug Control Strategy Goals to be Attained by 2015

Goal 1: Curtail illicit drug consumption in America

1a. Decrease the 30-day prevalence of drug use among 12–17 year olds by 15%

1b. Decrease the lifetime prevalence of 8th graders who have used drugs, alcohol, or tobacco by 15%

1c. Decrease the 30-day prevalence of drug use among young adults aged 18–25 by 10%

1d. Reduce the number of chronic drug users by 15%

Goal 2: Improve the public health and public safety of the American people by reducing the consequences of drug abuse 2a. Reduce drug-induced deaths by 15%

2b. Reduce drug-related morbidity by 15%

2c. Reduce the prevalence of drugged driving by 10%

For more information about the Office of National Drug Control Policy, or to view the full text of the 2010 National Drug Control Strategy, visit: www.WhiteHouseDrugPolicy.gov

Underage Drinking Laws Debated in the New York Times

June 18, 2010 by Sarah Stewart

 
Yesterday, the New York Times published a series of commentaries from experts about underage drinking.  Commentators touched on social host laws, whether these laws prevent underage drinking, and even whether or not underage drinking should be prevented at all.  The commentators had really different opinions on the issues, as did the readers who wrote their own comments.
 
I think the scientific evidence still clearly indicates that it is best if young people do not drink alcohol, and I think this came through clearly in the New York Times piece.  The commentaries that used the most scientific evidence were also the ones that were not supportive of underage drinking. There was disagreement about whether social host laws are an effective way to prevent underage drinking; however, there was general agreement that social host laws will not be sufficient.  Prevention of underage drinking must follow a comprehensive, mutlifaceted approach.
 
Many of the other commentaries that were supportive of allowing young people to drink did not use hard evidence to back their claims. Instead, many relied on myths, the most prevalent of which was, ‘They let kids drink in Europe all the time, and they don’t have any problems.”  (Not true! Youth in the US binge drink less than youth in any other European country except for Turkey. Even the French are grappling with underage drinking problems of their own.)  Others argued that as long as kids are drinking, we might as well supervise them while they do it. (This is also a faulty argument - read the other commentaries to find out why.)
 
For me, the value in reading this piece was having the opportunity to ‘hear’ the opinions of people on all sides of the issue. In our work, I think we often end up preaching to the choir, and it is important to remember what people outside of the choir have to say.  These also happen to be the folks that we would most like to reach.

To read the New York Times piece for yourself,click here.

 

New Library Materials Just Added

June 9, 2010 by Bill Holden

Our library is expanding and growing.  Over the last couple of weeks we've been adding some exciting new materials to our resource library.

In the area of  Substance Abuse we've added the following DVD's.  Cross-Addiction: The Back Door to Relapse ; Prescription Drugs: Recovery from the Hidden Addiction ; Oxycontin and Other Prescription Drugs ; Stages of Family Recovery, and the 5 time award winning film Eternal High. 

In our Physical Health and Nutrition section you'll find some exciting new visual aids to help teach kids and young adults the importance of a healthy diet.  We've added an entire set of Nutrition Test Tubes.  The image to the left is the Fat Facts: Saturated and Unstaturated Test Tubes.  Knowing more about the types of fat found in everyday foods can help a person make healthier eating choices.  Each of the kits contain 10 test tubes, display rack, tent card, carrying case and a reproducible informaiton sheet.  The other test tube kits are:

  •  
  • Fat Facts:  Fast Food
  • Hidden Sugar Facts
  • Condiment Facts
  • Sodium Facts

Other materials recently added include:  Brick by Brick:  Building Respect and Good-Character (Curriculum with DVD) ; Stressed Out:  Stess Management 101 (Kit with DVD).

More materials will be coming in soon.  So keep an eye out for another blog or better yet come on in and visit the resource library. 

 

Social Determinants of Health Notes

June 1, 2010 by Charlene Julien

04/27/2010

Health Equity and the Social Determinants of Health

Courtney Boen, Rebekah Gowler and Meghan Patterson
 Center for Health Equity and Social Justice, Boston Public Health Commission.
 1.        Objectives:
·         Define health disparities, health equities, and the social determinants of health.
·         Understand a health equity framework
·         Identify the social determinants of health
·         Articulate the impact racism has on shaping the social determinants of health
·         Identify how to use community assessments to shape practice.
 
2.        What are health disparities? / What are health inequities?
 
·         Health disparities: differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States.
·         Health inequities: differences in health status and mortality rates across population groups that are systemic, avoidable, unfair and unjust.
 
3.         Disparities, Inequality and Inequity
 DISPARITY= INEQUALITY and implies differences between individuals or population groups
INEQUITY refers to differences which are unnecessary and avoidable and, in addition, are also considered unfair and unjust.
 
4.        Health Equity
 The opportunity for everyone to attain their full health potential.
  No one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of his or her social position or other socially determined circumstance
 Distinct from health equality or health disparities
 
5.        What explains these inequities in health?  - A look at the social determinants of health
 Segregation:
·         Racial segregation concentrates poverty and excludes and isolates communities from mainstream resources.
·         Segregation did not materialize naturally
·         Today segregation is maintained by economic inequality.
           Economic opportunity:
·         ‘Poverty Tax”: residents in poor neighborhoods pay more for the exact same consumer products than those in higher income neighborhoods.
·         Higher rates of asthma sleep disorders and lead toxicity are more likely in sub-standard housing.
·         Food environment: Food desert are areas with no or distant grocery but with many choices of fast-food, convenience stores and liquor stores. Research show that residents in food desert suffer worse diet-related health outcomes, including diabetes, cancer, heart disease and premature health.
·         Physical environment (fewer parks, recreational centers, swimming pools, and less walkable areas)
·         Education: correlated with health outcomes and life expectancy.
·         Social mobility, public safety,….
 
6.        The stress of racism
 
·         Creates structural barriers to health and well-being
·         Stress associated with racism and discrimination takes a toll on the body: a study shows that Black women who reported they had been victims of racial discrimination were 31% more likely to develop breast cancer than those who did not. ( + reference to the movie “Unnatural causes: when the bough breaks”).
 
A health equity framework:
                                                       Social capital
                                                       Transportation
                                                       Education
                                                       Employment
                                                       Food access
 
RACISM     <--------------            Socioeconomic Status        --------------->HEALTH OUTCOMES                             -
 
                                                      Environmental exposure
                                                      Health behaviors
                                                     Access to health services
                              Housing
                              Public safety
 
Health and the built environment are inextricably linked: where you live impacts how you live.
         

  1. How do you work to eliminate health inequities?

 We often say…. “I know my work is connected because….”
      
                                      Degree of impact
Low                                                                                                High
                                                                                      
 
We don’t                             We serve a                            We plan our work
Discriminate                        vulnerable                             in such a way to ensure it
 Against anyone                   population                          addresses the factors
                                         impacted by these                     leading to disparities
                                           disparities
 
 How can we all get here?                           
 
 Low                          Degree of impact                                           High
                                                                                           
We don’t                             We serve a                         We plan our work
discriminate                        vulnerable                        in such way we ensure it
 against anyone                   population                         addresses the factors
                                       impacted by these                 leading to disparities
                                           disparities
  What can we do?

  • Consider “upstream approaches”
  • Aim for sustainable change in policy and practice: policy with long term consequences impacts the economic, social, physical and service environments.
  • Engage staff and partners at all levels
  • Ask questions differently:

 Ex:   How can we promote healthy behavior?
How can we target dangerous conditions and reorganize land use and transportation policies to ensure healthy spaces and places?
 

  1. Conduct a community assessment of the social determinants of health.
    • Goal: Identify the key social determinants of health and racial disparities in the community, map assets and resources for addressing the identified needs, use results to shape and develop community-based strategies.

 Proposed phases:
1.        plan the assessment: review existing data, convene a team, develop tools, decide on methods.
2.        conduct the assessment: utilize different methods as focus groups, listening sessions, interviews, paper survey, observations, windshield survey
3.        document discussions and findings
4.        develop an action plan,
5.        organize the larger community
6.        take action!
  

 

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