After completing a standard community health assessment required of health departments across the state, Jefferson County Public Health took a not-so-standard approach to releasing the results, marking the occasion with a celebration that included Zumba and tree planting. Jefferson County Public Health also released the results of the assessment to the community and vowed to partner with residents to make a healthier community. In keeping with its theme of making serious business fun, and by enlisting the community and partners from unexpected fields, Jefferson County Public Health will create a five-year action plan from the findings of the health assessment that is fun and actionable. Read on to find out how.
The problem
While health assessments sometimes get a bad rap for being lengthy, convoluted, inaccessible or of no interest to the general population, Jefferson County Public Health worked hard to create a report with pizzazz that would spur the community into action over the next few years. Despite its more accessible format, the report revealed areas of concern for the county that are anything but fun: tobacco use and exposure, stress, alcohol use, lack of physical activity and poor nutrition. Health conditions stemming from these concerns can have many causes and are usually expensive to treat.
The solution
To help mitigate these risks while involving the public, Jefferson County Public Health has called for community input that will, in conjunction with the findings of the most recent health assessment, guide a five-year community health improvement plan. By the end of this year, Jefferson County Public Health hopes to identify the top health concerns of Jefferson County residents and create a responsive plan to improve upon areas of concern. The improvement plan will consist of measurable goals that can be reassessed at the end of five years based on progress and community input.
To address the multitude of factors that contribute to a person’s overall health and well being, and in keeping with its out-of-the-box approach, Jefferson County Public Health is enlisting the help of diverse partners, including organizations that don’t consider themselves part of the typical health arena. As barriers to health are exposed by ongoing community dialogue, appropriate partners are called on to help level the playing field, creating opportunities for everyone to improve their health, regardless of education and economic standing; for example, advocacy groups and organizations that build bridges and roads are being consulted for their input on sidewalks and bike lanes. The goal of this approach is to create accountability and sustainability by pooling resources, knowledge, evaluations and reach to create a broader impact.
Thus far, the project has been met with a great deal of enthusiasm and Jefferson County Public Health is looking forward to continuing to build community buy in through its unique approach to community engagement. To join the conversation, visit www.healthypeoplehealthyplacesjeffco.com. JVA is proud to work with Jefferson County Public Health to solicit community engagement and is excited to also utilize fun and creative methods to increase community involvement.
Mutual health care programs and assessment create a much positive impression in a community. These activities will encourage the people to just come and join the health care programs. Their participation will also increase their awareness about the health care and physical treatment. That’s much positive step to gather the people and learn them about the health care and wellness treatment.