Athena Communications - Public Relations & Government Affairs’ Post

Civic engagement is not just a duty; it's a powerful tool for creating healthier communities. As we observe National Public Health Week (#NPHW), Flourish & Thrive Labs encourages you to reflect on how civic participation influences public health. Whether you voice concerns in community forums, contribute to public health surveys, or engage with local health initiatives, your involvement is a catalyst for change. Together, we can ensure that public health policies reflect our community's needs and aspirations. A recent analysis of civic engagement and state health outcomes from 1996 to 2020 showed that in states where people are more civically engaged and vote more, public health outcomes are better. (Source: Voting Restrictions and Public Health: An Analysis of State Variation ) Did you know that Flourish & Thrive Labs specializes in helping with civic engagement? We recently led a community engagement effort to help understand barriers to participation in a local community. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gzR5AFDU Image source: NPHW

Thanks for elevating equity across systems, especially in healthcare!

Exciting Announcement! 🌟 Our Community Conversation Report is HERE! 📣 Our annual community conversations wrapped up last year, engaging with 158 residents from 18 towns across CT! Collaborating with community organizations and libraries, we delved into critical health equity priorities for CT residents. Dive into the report for key insights! 📝 https://ow.ly/3Pfz50QySsR #CommunityEngagement #HealthEquity #CTResidents"

We are excited to get started with our Essential Learning Series this week with our partner KSM (Katz, Sapper & Miller). It’s not too late to register for this three-session series to learn how the FQHC Look Alike model can improve access to care, optimize #PopulationHealth outcomes, and strengthen community engagement without necessitating major structural changes. https://bit.ly/47vIXgs

Today, I had my first session as a Community Health Fellow. Overall, it was engaging. The resource person touched on some intricate aspects of community health and in general public health principles. One aspect that fascinated me was when he talked about strategies for effective community engagement. After a brief and concise presentation on community, my curiosity sparked. Thus making me want to a question. So I raised my hand and asked. 𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒈𝒆? Here came his response : ✨ Be concerned about the challenge the community is facing. ✨Show genuine interest in giving solutions to their problems. ✨ Practise Empathy ✨ Carry out a need assessment by knowing what the community needs. ✨ Employ the pillars of primary health care (PHC): accessibility, affordability, and use of technology to harness contact between you and the community. Overall, it was an educating session.I look forward to utilizing these skills as a CHC Fellow #CHCFelllow #DISH

At KareMark Solutions, we believe that effective outreach goes beyond just delivering services; it’s about fostering trust, understanding local needs, and actively engaging with community members. Our approach to community outreach focuses on creating meaningful connections. We partner with local organizations to organize events, workshops, and informational sessions that address the specific health concerns and needs of the community. By leveraging these opportunities, we not only raise awareness about important healthcare services but also encourage active participation from residents. Through targeted outreach initiatives, we aim to empower individuals with knowledge and resources, helping them navigate their healthcare options effectively. Our commitment to understanding the unique dynamics of each community ensures that our outreach efforts are relevant and impactful. At KareMark Solutions, we see community outreach as an essential strategy for driving positive health outcomes and strengthening the fabric of the communities we serve. By fostering collaboration and engagement, we help bridge gaps and create a healthier, more informed population. 📩 Let’s talk about how we can make your next event a success! #KareMarkSouutions #HealthEducation #CommunityEngagement #PublicHealth #CommunityWellness #HealthAwareness #OutreachPrograms #EmpowerCommunities

🌟 Celebrating 60 Years of Impact: The Legacy of Community Health Centers As I reflect on the remarkable journey of Community Health Centers over the past six decades, I'm reminded of their profound impact on the American healthcare ecosystem. Born out of the Civil Rights Movement and the War on Poverty, these centers were founded with a revolutionary idea: healthcare should be accessible to all, regardless of one's socio-economic status. From their humble beginnings in Mount Bayou, Mississippi, and Boston, Massachusetts, Community Health Centers have grown into the nation's largest and most successful primary care network, serving over 31 million individuals across the country. Their unwavering commitment to health equity and community empowerment has improved countless lives and reshaped our healthcare approach. These centers exemplify the power of community collaboration, bringing together healthcare professionals, community leaders, and government support to create a holistic healthcare ecosystem. They offer a wide array of services, from primary care to behavioral health, ensuring comprehensive care that extends beyond the traditional healthcare setting. As innovators and problem solvers, Community Health Centers have been at the forefront of addressing America's most pressing public health challenges, including natural disasters and pandemics. Their role in reducing health disparities, preventing illness, and addressing social determinants of health like nutrition, mental health, and homelessness is unparalleled. As we look to the future, it's important to advocate for long-term funding so that Community Health Centers can continue to advance their mission of providing quality, accessible healthcare to all. To delve deeper into the rich history of Community Health Centers and their pivotal role in shaping our healthcare system, visit the Chronicles website: https://lnkd.in/gavwP7dp #CommunityHealth #HealthcareInnovation #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #ValueCHCs

Looking to build your muscle for building will for your issues? Check out this recent post describing our recent convening where we learned alongside others about what is already working, and what people need to help strengthen their efforts to come together in service of our shared aspiration for a thriving future. 💪 You will also find a link to a playbook that combines the powerful tools for Strategic CaseMaking and Shared Stewardship because along with our friends at TheCaseMade we want to share what we know as widely as possible. Let me know what you think - and please share how you are building will in your world - what is working and what would help you go farther?

There is a long, dark history of discrimination and violence against people of color (especially Black and Brown folks) in medicine. To achieve our mission of saving and improving live we must acknowledge this history and do the hard work of building trust within minority communities. To learn more about clinical trials, how Merck is working to connect with communities of color to build trust and increase diversity in clinical trials, and see which trial programs are recruiting participants, visit https://lnkd.in/d2-eErt7

This #BlackHistoryMonth, it's crucial to spotlight initiatives like the one highlighted by Ashley C. Moultrie on the importance of diversity in clinical trials. The commitment to increasing participation from historically underrepresented communities is not just commendable; it's essential for achieving true health equity. 🌍 Diversity in clinical research ensures that treatments are effective across all populations, addressing disparities that have long existed in healthcare. By prioritizing this, we're not only advocating for fairness but also enhancing the scientific accuracy and relevance of medical research. 🧬 At SSLS, alongside The Beautiful Way Foundation, we are inspired by these efforts and are excited to announce that we will soon share how we plan to contribute to this vital cause. Stay tuned as we join forces to make a tangible impact, ensuring that the life sciences industry's research reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Together, we can pave the way for a healthier, more inclusive future. 💪🏾💖 #DiversityInResearch #HealthEquity #InclusionMatters https://lnkd.in/eHzYb7S7