As 2023 comes to a close, a keyword foundational to public health that keeps emerging across the field is “partnerships”.
Perhaps you are at the point where program or initiative is being planned or revised to address identified issues, priorities have been determined to address those issues, and now the task at hand is to develop an action plan to address those priorities and issues. But first, to move forward, it is important to recognize that to make an impact on priority issues/problems, addressing health inequities and their root causes are key.
As March 2020 comes to a close, the world is experiencing unprecedented times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 does not discriminate and people of all color, races, gender, income, celebrity status, religion, geographic locations are being impacted worldwide. However, what does discriminate and is showing its true colors, is health inequity.
There are a wealth of activities happening across rural American working to address and improve health outcomes, including community gardens to increase access to healthy foods, economic development to invest in healthy community design, and utilization of local wellness coalitions to take action to address local health. However, increasing globalization and the growing impact of social, economic, and environmental factors on global health, calls for expansion of the scope and reach of population health approaches to improve health outcomes across rural America.
Take a moment to consider the community where you live, work, learn, and play. What issues are affecting the health of your community? Obesity? Tobacco Use? Access to health care services? Access to healthy foods?
What if you know what issues affect the health of your community, but are not sure how to address those issues and understand how they affect all residents in your community?
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of South Dakotans, with more than 1,800 deaths annually. And since tobacco use is the No. 1 risk factor for developing heart disease in young men and women, the American Heart Association is supportive of a variety of policies to keep our youth from getting hooked on tobacco such as Tobacco 21.
“The core value of public health remains its commitment to the health of populations.”[i]Health care costs are rising and chronic diseases continue to be the leading cause of death and disease, however, much of this burden is preventable. Research has evolved to identify that health outcomes are the products of multiple and overlapping determinants of health, including biological, social and environmental determinants. So how are those determinants addressed to improve health outcomes? Policy, systems, and environment change or PSE change as it’s known in the public health world, has shown to be an effective and necessary strategy to improve the health of all sectors in a community, including worksite, schools, and healthcare.
In 2017, it is estimated that 12,820 new cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed in the United States and 4,210 died of this disease.1 But did you know that cervical cancer can be prevented? With regular screening tests, appropriate follow-up care, and a vaccine to prevent infection, cervical cancer is highly preventable. It also can be cured when found early and treated.
“How can I have a healthy pregnancy?”…“Where can I get healthy food?”…“What shots do my children need?”…“What types of health clinics are offered in your community?”…or “Am I at risk for heart disease?” Do any of these questions sound familiar? You may have found yourself or people you know asking some of these questions or ones like them.
Finals week on a college campus is a time filled with hopeful anticipation for the holiday season and a long-awaited break from studies. Standing in the way of that break, of course, is a litany of final tests and projects that can make any person feel the stress of performance anxiety. Finals stress impacts every person differently, but strong coping skills aren’t only important for this time of year.
