Orientation to

Healthy Communities

History of Healthy Communities (Canadian Context)

• 1844: Health of Towns Association

• 1974: Lalonde Report

• 1984: Beyond Health Care Workshop

• 1986: WHO Healthy Cities Project

• 1986: Ottawa Charter

• 1988: Canadian Healthy Communities

Project and subsequent formation of

provincial Healthy Community

Networks

Definition of Health

WHO 1948: Health is a state of complete physical,

mental and social well-being and not merely the

absence of disease or infirmity.

WHO 1984 ...“the extent to which an individual or

group is able to realize aspirations and satisfy

needs and to change or cope with the

environment.”

Illness care system

25%

Biological

endowment, genetics

15%

Physical environment

10%

Social and economic

environment 50%

Impact on Health Status Canadian Institute for Advanced Research

Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion

Strengthen Community Action

Enable

Mediate

Advocate

Create Supportive

Environments

Health Services

Reorient

Develop

Personal

Skills

Determinants of Health

Income and Social Status Biology and

Genetic Endowment

Healthy Child Development

Health Services

Personal Health

Practices and Coping

Skills

Gender Physical

Environment

Social Environment

Social Support

Networks

Education

Employment and Working Conditions

Imagine a healthy community…

A Healthy Community has…

• A clean and safe physical environment

• peace, equity and social justice

• adequate access to food, water, shelter, income, safety, work and recreation for all

• adequate access to health care services

• opportunities for learning and skill development

• strong, mutually supportive relationships and networks

It also has….

• workplaces that are supportive of individual and

family well-being

• wide participation of residents in decision-making

• strong local cultural and spiritual heritage

• diverse and vital economy

• protection of the natural environment

• responsible use of resources to ensure long term

sustainability

Healthy Community Characteristics

1. A common sense of community, including its

history and values that are strengthened by a

network of leaders,

2. People and community groups who feel

empowered and have a sense of control,

3. An absence of divided turf, conflict and

polarization,

4. Structures where people from diverse groups

can come together to work out decisions about

the community,

Healthy Community Characteristics (cont’d)

5. Leadership that functions both from the top down and the bottom up,

6. Effective channels for networking, communication and cooperation among those who live and lead there.

Duhl, L, quoted by John Schweitzer in

Community News and Views section,

“Defining a Healthy Community,” Michigan State University,

Community and Economic Development Program,

Vol. 6, No. 3, Fall 1993.

Healthy Communities

Key Principles

Everything in our community is connected to everything else

Healthy Communities Strategies

• Asset-Based Community Development

• Equitable Community Engagement

• Intersectoral Involvment

• Political Commitment

• Healthy Public Policy

Needs vs Assets

Individuals and

communities have

deficiencies & needs

Individuals and

communities have

skills and talents

Community Needs Map

Community Assets Map

What is Community Development?

“Community Development is a process designed to create conditions of economic and social progress for the whole community with its active participation and fullest possible reliance upon the community’s initiative.”

United Nations, 1948

CD Values and Principles • democratic

• inclusive

• non-authoritarian

• community self-determination

• voluntary

• self-help

• community ownership

• enhance natural capacities and networks

• social justice and equity

Outcomes of Community Capacity Building

1. Expanding, diverse, inclusive citizen participation

2. Expanding leadership base

3. Strengthened individual skills

4. Widely shared understanding and vision

5. Strategic community agenda

6. Consistent, tangible progress towards goals

7. More effective community organizations and institutions

8. Better use of resources by the community

What is Community Engagement? Community engagement is the process of meaningful dialogue and participation in forming decisions that affect the community and enhance quality of life. The community engagement process is transparent, responsive, inclusive, and empowering, and is based in realistic expectations, mutual respect, and trust.

City of London

Community Engagement Task Force, 2011

Who do We Engage? Community Engagement includes:

• Partners

• Clients/users

• Community members

• Different perspectives (age, ability, culture)

Tools and Strategies

• Network mapping

• Locate “bridgers”

Community Engagement Continuum

Inform Provide detailed information and promote awareness

Consult Obtain input and feedback on alternatives to inform decision-making

Empower Community members initiate activities and make final decisions

Collaborate People working together toward a mutual goal

Benefits of the Healthy Communities Approach

• provides opportunities for community members to voice their concerns, learn about complex issues and help develop solutions

• enables local governments to draw on the insights and energies of citizens

• empowers community members to influence planning and decision-making

• fosters creativity and increases the range of options in developing public policy

• increases social capital