Community Health Assessment and Social Change
Discussion: Community Health Assessment and Social Change
Public health professionals typically go into the profession in order to help others and affect social change. Community health assessments frequently reveal societal problems that underlie chronic disease or other public health problems.
For this Discussion, review this week’s Resources. Reflect on the relationship between public health, community health assessments, and social change. In addition, review the media titled Social Change Through Community Health Efforts. Based upon the information in the media, consider the ways in which community health assessments might have played a role in transforming the lives and communities of the individuals portrayed.
With these thoughts in mind:
Part 1
By Day 4
Post an explanation of how community health assessments can influence social change. Then, explain how the community health assessment you developed in your Scholar-Practitioner Project might promote social change. Use the Resources and current literature to support your response.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.
Part 2
By Day 6
Respond to your colleagues’ postings. Provide a substantive reply to your colleagues in one or more of the following ways:
- Expand on the colleague’s posting with additional insight and/or resources.
- Offer polite disagreement or critique, supported with evidence.
- Explain how community health assessment might change you.
- Validate an idea with your own experience.
- Make a suggestion or comment that guides or facilitates the discussion.
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Resources.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues.