US Public Healthcare
Post Project In this lesson, you have learned about the role and responsibility of public healthcare; the core functions that govern public health; the ten essential public health services and the concepts of cause, cure and prevention of disease. You have also explored the external influences that affect the overall health of a nation including economic, environmental and cultural factors and the impacts of these influences. In addition, you have studied various careers in public health. In learning about public healthcare, you also read about the concept of community empowerment, when communities identify community health problems and the necessary steps to resolve such problems. For this project, choose a community public health facility. Study its website and any printed information about the organization. Visit the facility, interview an official from the organization and find out what ways the community is involved in identifying health problems and working with the agency/organization to resolve them. Summarize your findings in both a report and a presentation. Deliverables •A 750-word report •A 10-slide presentation Activity Details Step 1: Select a local public health agency. Identify a local public health agency. For example, select your county or city public health department. Or, do an Internet search for public health agencies for your area. Step 2: Conduct research and schedule a meeting. Review the website for the selected agency and make an appointment to meet with and interview an official at the agency. Step 3: Prepare for the meeting. Make a list of questions to ask the public official at your meeting. You will want to find out how the community provides input to the agency to identify health issues and resolve them. You may want to revisit the Lesson readings to review the topic of community empowerment.
As you create your interview questions, consider the following concepts and questions: •Community empowerment results from activities related to community development, community organizing, community mobilization, community building and community competence. What evidence is there of these activities in this community and how do they relate to public healthcare? What steps has this community taken to foster community empowerment related to public health issues? •Has empowerment in this community resulted in increased community capacity and competence in the area of healthcare? If so, how? If not, what might be the reasons? •
BUY A PLAGIARISM-FREE ESSAY HERE
Does your community employ any of the community empowerment models discussed in this Lesson? If so, which one(s)? •Who participates in the community involvement in healthcare and to what degree? Who decides about which issues are addressed? How does the agency and community elicit participation by community members? While at the agency, you may also collect pamphlets or community outreach materials that will provide additional information. Alternatively, you can check for such materials at your local library. Step 4: Write a report. In a 750-word report, describe community empowerment in public health for your community. Include the following components: •A summary of what you learn