Public Health Plan Task
Community Development in Health Promotion
The City of Wanneroo developed the Public Health Plan (PHP) 2014/15 to 2016/17 in order to implement strategies of promoting mental health and social wellbeing of everyone. In the City of Wanneroo, people’s health and wellbeing get influenced by a wide range of issues, from social networks in the community, friendships, to the workplace (Wyn et al., 2000). In this essence, PHP was initiated to sustain and create communities that thrive in a healthier lifestyle. This essay provides a reflection on the interview feedback that I received on Friday 6th September at the City of Wanneroo Civic Center.
The respondents stated that the main goals of the City of Wanneroo PHP are improving peoples’ health and the wellbeing of the surrounding environment. According to the Public Health Plan of the city, this mission is achieved through advancing individuals living standards in the area (Baum & Palmer, 2002). In their feedback, plans of promoting social welfare and mental health status of the people living in the city are underway. Also, the respondents said that the PHP has the power to provide more chances for healthy living in the society and is wholly exposed to physical activities.
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On the question about the city of Wanneroo’s PHP vision, the respondents viewed the community as a Civic place whose dream is brightening the society’s future. The PHP encompass strategies of advancing a suitable natural environment and establishing communities that enjoy healthy living standards (Slade, Teesson, & Burgess, 2009). As per the respondents, the PHP considers offering more opportunities to people in the city where healthy living is just the choice and that the city is free from drug trafficking.
In response to the core action community development principles, the respondents stated that the City of Wanneroo has laid out strong urban processes in order to eliminate overcrowding. This move is seen as a policy to improving sanitation levels and reducing pollution. Also, the respondents said that well-being and good health are important in creating a vibrant and health society. In this essence, the PHP is set to support health and well-being of companies as important parts of the business. The respondents recommended initiatives such as urban planning, community programs, social and physical infrastructure development, and health initiatives as the best ways of advancing a safe and healthy environment (Date, 2015).
As a Community Development Officer of Wanneroo, I played an important role in ensuring that the PHP achieves its mission of establishing supportive environments and ensuring that the organization has the capacity to boost wellbeing and health of the people. In the PHP, I also ensured that all data collected in public health campaigns reach the desired people. In compiling the final report, I ensured that public opinions were considered in decision making.
My role in the project was guided by a strategic plan which assisted in ensuring that there was energy focus with the subject at hand. I created public awareness in Wanneroo and ensured that all people living in the city have access to healthy lifestyles and avoid consumption of drugs and alcohol (Date, 2015). Proper mental health status and social wellbeing were the priorities detailed in my roles under the PHP.
In response to the services offered by the City of Wanneroo, the respondents acknowledged that the city is highly affected by various diseases that range from diabetes, chronic, and cardiovascular. Urban areas are not densely populated. Congestion of large populations in small areas contributes to poor health living standards that contribute to fatal diseases (Date, 2015). In response to this question, the respondents stated that the city administration constructs and develops physical infrastructures to benefit the society. In their response, the government builds health facilities and social amenities in which the society can seek medical care when they fall sick.
In the project, I partnered with non-governmental and governmental institutions, stakeholders, service providers and other community based organizations. I engaged stakeholders in spreading essential and relevant informant to the publics. For example, immunization community program required involvement of medical stakeholders as an approach to fighting chronic diseases (Date, 2015). Non-governmental organizations assisted in offering financial and transportation support so as to drive residents to the city. The government provided financial support of public programs such as health living education initiatives.
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Also in the project, respondents highlighted that the development of social-physical infrastructure helps in connecting people in the city with the health services they require. Every resident interviewed stated that all people in the city have easy access to health facilities and amenities (Buikstra et al., 2010). Also, through the immunization programs provided by the administration to the residents, both people living in the urban and local areas always benefit from these programs.
From the feedback information is gathered from the interview processes, the City of Wanneroo has several strengths despite the difficulties faced by its population. I noted that the most educated people secure highly paying jobs in big companies and better work places. For instance, clerical, technicians, professionals, administrative, trade workers. Also, I observed that residents in this city are exposed to better opportunities of benefiting from the government’s provision of accessible health care facilities and amenities. Also, residents have the power to give their opinions to get considered in PHP decision making with little or no resistance. Further, I believe that these residents get absorbed into community programs quickly, for instance, immunization programs against killer diseases.
References
Baum, F., & Palmer, C. (2002). ‘Opportunity structures’: urban landscape, social capital and health promotion in Australia. Health promotion international, 17(4), 351-361.
Buikstra, E., Ross, H., King, C. A., Baker, P. G., Hegney, D., McLachlan, K., & Rogers‐Clark, C. (2010). The components of resilience—Perceptions of an Australian rural community. Journal of Community Psychology, 38(8), 975-991.
Date, V. S. (2015). Reporting Year 2015/16 Mandatory Grant Reporting listing relating to the Period 1 July 2015-30 Jun 2016. Health, 21, 10.
Slade, J., Teesson, W., & Burgess, P. (2009). The mental health of Australians 2: report on the 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Wyn, J., Cahill, H., Holdsworth, R., Rowling, L., & Carson, S. (2000). MindMatters, a whole school approach promoting mental health and wellbeing. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 34(4), 594-601.