Kailea (She/Her) Boscarino on LinkedIn: CVS Health Foundation expands Health Zones to more communities in Fresno… (2024)

What does it look like to fund, design and implement cross-sector, community-driven and anti-racist approaches that address the social determinants of health? When we think of public health, there’s value in thinking of it as an ecosystem that involves multiple sectors, each with different roles and different strengths. This new primer from Public Health Institute's Build Healthy Places Network and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD)(NACDD), with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,takes exactly that approach. It lays out a roadmap for how public health and community development sectors can work together—and alongside communities—to achieve their common goals to advance health and racial equity, with recommendations, strategies and lessons-learned from national, state and local leaders. One highlight that stands out to me: Practitioners need to develop a shared languageacross sectors—not just to understand each other's common terms (for example, CDC can stand for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but also community development corporations)—but specificallyaround race and equity.https://lnkd.in/g7ak-y2y#PublicHealth #CommunityDevelopment #CommunityHealth #CDFI #UpstreamHealth #HealthEquity #RacialEquity #SocialDeterminants #HealthAndHousing #VitalConditions

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Your strategic plan can support community health initiatives and public health! There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to community health. Whether you're a public health organization or a local government, a good strategic plan can keep your holistic goals in focus. 💙 From tackling social determinants of health to working on empowering your community with education and information, here are three ways your strategic plan can promote community health. 🏥 👇 Mentioned in this post: City of Baytown, TX, Kent County, and City of West Hollywood. #communityhealth #publichealthmatters #strategicplanning

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Today, I had my first session as a Community Health Fellow. Overall, it was engaging. The resource person touched on some intricate aspects of community health and in general public health principles.One aspect that fascinated me was when he talked about strategies for effective community engagement. After a brief and concise presentation on community, my curiosity sparked. Thus making me want to a question. So I raised my hand and asked. 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒈𝒆?Here came his response : ✨ Be concerned about the challenge the community is facing.✨Show genuine interest in giving solutions to their problems.✨ Practise Empathy ✨ Carry out a need assessment by knowing what the community needs.✨ Employ the pillars of primary health care (PHC): accessibility, affordability, and use of technology to harness contact between you and the community.Overall, it was an educating session.I look forward to utilizing these skills as a CHC Fellow #CHCFelllow #DISH

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August 28th - September 1st is National Community Health Worker Awareness Week!In honor of National CHW Awareness Week, please join us in recognizing the six pillars of Community Health Workers every day this week:Today, Pillar One!1 – CHWS ARE A UNIQUE WORKFORCECommunity Health Workers (CHWs) are a one-of-a-kind group of public health workers. CHWs as a profession have a designated workforce classification by the US Department of Labor, and are recognized health professionals by the ACA. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the US Department of Homeland Security deemed CHWs essential and critical infrastructure workers. With a unique set of core competencies recognized by local, state, and federal governmental organizations, CHWs are an underappreciated yet crucial workforce that promote social justice and help to achieve health equity and wellbeing for all.

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In the vast expanse of community health, there exists a cadre of unsung heroes, quietly toiling away on the frontline, their efforts often unnoticed by the world. Do you know who they are? Have you ever crossed paths with one? The term "cadre" might not immediately resonate, but these individuals are the beating heart of public health.Picture this: amidst bustling communities, they stand as pillars of strength and compassion, dedicating their days to serving those in need. They are the ones who tirelessly bridge the gap between healthcare providers and families, offering solace and support where it's needed most.In the intricate game of public health, they are akin to the humble chess pawn - the first line of defence, the guardians of well-being. Their duties are as diverse as they are essential, from conducting vital screenings to spearheading crucial interventions like malnutrition monitoring.But amidst their noble endeavours, one must pause and ponder - do we truly give them the credit they deserve? Do we, as a society, offer enough support and acknowledgment to these local heroes?Imagine a world where every child under the age of five and every expectant mother receives the care and attention they deserve. It's a vision fuelled by the tireless dedication of these community health post cadres, who strive to make it a reality each and every day.So, let us take a moment to reflect. Do we shower them with enough appreciation? Do they receive the backing they need from both communities and governments alike?

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In Los Angeles, teams of community health workers are going door-to-door to provide direct support to residents. This initiative aims to bridge healthcare gaps and more effectively address individual public health needs. From wellness checks to connecting people with essential services, these dedicated teams are redefining community care. The Public Health Infrastructure Grant’s (PHIG) flexible funding model allows health departments to determine how to best meet the unique needs of their communities. Learn more about how PHIG is transforming public health infrastructure and making a tangible impact in our neighborhoods. https://bit.ly/3R4WG78

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Embracing Diversity in Public HealthI remember meeting Maria, a single mother from a minority community, during one of the health outreach programs I worked for. She worked two jobs and struggled to find time for her health. Her story is not unique; it's a reality for many in minority communities.Maria's experience highlighted a crucial point: public health must be inclusive and accessible to all, especially minority groups who face unique challenges. It's not just about providing services; it's about understanding cultural nuances and barriers to access.This interaction inspired me to propose a community health program tailored to their needs, offering flexible hours and multilingual support. We didn't just wait for them to come to us; we went to them. Health fairs, home visits, and partnerships with local leaders made a significant difference.Maria's health improved, and she became an advocate in her community, spreading the message of wellness and support. Her transformation showed that when public health initiatives are inclusive and culturally sensitive, they empower individuals and strengthen communities.Public health is about more than just policies and programs. It's about people. It's about ensuring everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to live a healthy life.Let's continue to strive for a public health system that sees and serves everyone. #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #CommunitySupport #Diversity #InclusiveHealthcare #MinorityHealth

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National Public Health Week-Day 1 "Civic Engagement"Today is the first day of National Public Health Week which is crucial week as it raises awareness about public health issues and encourages individuals to take action to improve the health of their communities. Each day is a different topic, and today's topic is "Civic Engagement". Civic engagement plays a vital role in Public Health by empowering citizens to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote public health, such as access to healthcare, clean air and water, healthy food options, and disease prevention measures. Together, they foster a culture of wellness and social responsibility, ultimately leading to healthier and more resilient societies.Local civic engagement allows residents to voice their concerns and influence local policies and decision-making processes. This can lead to the implementation of initiatives that address community needs, such as improving infrastructure, enhancing public safety measures, and promoting environmental sustainability. By working together, community members can identify innovative approaches to tackle issues like homelessness, education disparities, and economic inequalityOverall, civil engagement at the local level is essential for building resilient, inclusive, and thriving communities where every voice is heard and valued.#nationalpublichealthweek #publichealth #civilengagement #blackmeninpublichealth #community #advocacy

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Health starts in homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities. Social determinants of health include factors like socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood and physical environment, employment, and social support networks, as well as access to health care. Addressing social determinants of health is important for improving and reducing longstanding disparities in health. Policies and practices in non-health sectors have impacts on health and health equity. For example, the availability and accessibility of public transportation affects access to employment, affordable healthy foods, health care, and other important drivers of health and wellness. Although there has been significant progress recognizing and addressing social determinants of health, many challenges remain. The Healthy Chicago Equity Zones initiative is part of Healthy Chicago 2025, the City’s community health improvement plan that outlines strategies to close this racial life expectancy gap.Learn more when you visit: https://lnkd.in/gRE44SwW

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Implementing changes to the structures in place can be challenging. The Strategies to Repair Equity and Transform Community Health (STRETCH) Initiative aimed to help state health agencies and communities practically apply changes to policies, processes and relationships. Read through STRETCH's recommendations for how all state public health agencies can apply this approach to their projects--one small step at a time. https://cdcf.link/3EvXivYAssociation of State and Territorial Health Officials and MPHI (STRETCH is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation )

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