Brian C.’s Post

"Public health in the twenty-first century can become more powerful and effective in addressing health disparities, and in improving health status broadly, by building on lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic and engaging the creativity, resourcefulness, and wisdom of communities throughout the US." –Alice T. Chen, Denise Octavia Smith MBA, BS, CHW, PN, SFC, Bisola Ojikutu, and John Auerbach for Health Affairs' Reimagining Public Health Last Fall, we gathered to hear from some of our Vaccine Plus: Community Health & Power grant partners – grassroots, community-based organizations across the country – about 'The “Return to Normal” and Applying Lessons from #COVID Response Efforts to Ongoing Public Health Emergencies' (https://lnkd.in/eBCip-zn). So when our grant partner and colleague, Denise Octavia Smith MBA, BS, CHW, PN, SFC at National Association of Community Health Workers, recently co-authored this piece on how to strengthen relationships between public #Health systems and communities, we were excited to read through their survey results and policy recommendations! In their piece for Health Affairs, Denise Octavia Smith et al identify many barriers and opportunities for building a #PublicHealth system with strong #Community partnerships, and share several interventions that can be made on the federal, state, local, and territorial levels ⬇

How are Community Health Workers transforming healthcare across East Africa in 2024? Explore the latest insights, challenges and opportunities from our recent State of the Evidence. Link🔗: https://bit.ly/3zFFyzw

Maranda C. Ward, Ed.D, MPH Happy National Public Health Week! Today's theme is the Future of Public Health. This future involves close collaboration between various individuals, organizations, and governments to develop initiatives based on the principles of equity. These initiatives should aim to address unfair barriers caused by factors such as socioeconomic status and demographics as well as focus on preventative measures for various diseases and problems. While there are things that individuals themselves can do –  such as joining community organizations dedicated to promoting equity – it is important to focus on the things that our national and international community should focus on – such as improving public health infrastructure and creating partnerships for global health. To learn more, click the link below: https://lnkd.in/e9NfHkkA

Urgent Reforms Needed: Revitalizing Somaliland’s Public Health System to Safeguard Community Health for the Future. Somaliland, a self-declared independent state in the Horn of Africa that has not yet gained international recognition, has made significant strides in state-building and good governance. It has successfully held various elections, including presidential, parliamentary, and local council elections. However, despite these achievements in democratization and governance, there has been a noticeable decline and neglect in the public health system, which urgently needs reform to ensure the well-being of its citizens. The Ministry of Health Development is tasked with safeguarding and advancing the nation’s health policies. However, it is undeniable that over the past 35 years, Somaliland’s public health services have lacked clear policies to prevent communicable diseases. In particular, over the last seven years, the general public health situation in the country has deteriorated and stagnated. I have confidence in the number and quality of public health professionals we have, who possess the necessary knowledge and experience to implement the urgent reforms needed to revive our country public health system. The Ministry of Health Development, especially Public Health Department has failed in its responsibilities to maintain and improve the public health systems, showing widespread inaction and inefficiency. In today’s world, where highly contagious diseases are becoming more prevalent, there is a global consensus that every country must diligently enforce its public health policies and prevention measures, fully utilizing the skills of trained public health workers. Over the last five years, the highest levels of mortality and morbidity have been recorded, according to reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on global movement, caused significant loss of cherished lives. Somaliland was among the countries those seriously affected by the disease and lost many lives we valued. In an interview, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the only way to prevent the spread of highly contagious diseases is for every country to effectively mobilize its public health workforce. Therefore, we are at a critical juncture where urgent reforms are needed to revitalize and strengthen our country’s public health system. By: Abdiaziz Dahir (Diploma in CoD, BSc, MPH) Email: dsabdiaziz@gmail.com Tell: +252633730622 Date: 08/20/2024

We recently saw an event discussing the state of the public health union. Is there a public health union? I see Public Health ( with a capital “P”, as I often call it) as an organization, department, or entity. There is also public health as literal public health (small “p”) in action, with individuals, communities, and populations. There are places of connection such as in a venn diagram, but small “p” public health often seems to be something else entirely. Although there are some unifying components, theories, and principles, there are points where we are not a united entity. So as we think about the state of a public health union, what are we referring to as public health? Departments or communities? Is Public Health willing to go beyond public health reporting, compliance, accreditation, and quality improvement from a distance, and provide more community support for grassroots public health in action? Read more in today’s newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gKRh7FyV

Community organizations and leaders are integral in shaping neighborhood health, yet often lack full decision-making power. The CDC Foundation, along with Human Impact Partners (HIP) and Kaiser Permanente, presents recommendations to strengthen partnerships between health departments and community-based organizations, aiming to integrate the latter as essential decision-makers. These recommendations, tailored for U.S. health departments and CBOs, address power imbalances, trust, and accountability, aiming for enduring, mutually beneficial partnerships focused on transforming public health systems. Read more: https://loom.ly/e2UfkZA

🌟 Empowering Community Health Workers (CHWs): Building Power and Securing Space in Healthcare 🌟 Denise Octavia Smith MBA, BS, CHW, PN, SFC and others recently publish groundbreaking Health Affairs article highlights the indispensable role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in public health. CHWs are vital in bridging healthcare gaps, fostering trust, and delivering culturally competent care within communities. The main claim from the article emphasizes that strengthening the US public health system requires integrating CHWs as full partners. This involves establishing state and local community councils, simplifying procurement processes, and providing comprehensive training and support. By doing so, we ensure CHWs can effectively contribute to public health decision-making and service delivery, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for all. To truly empower CHWs, we must: - Advocate for inclusive policies - Ensure dedicated and sustainable funding - Increase their representation in decision-making processes By building power for CHWs, we can secure their space and enhance their impact in our healthcare system. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/edsGaM_G #PublicHealth #CommunityHealth #HealthEquity #CHWs #HealthcareInnovation #HealthAffairs

Most public health funding is tied to specific health conditions or short-term emergency responses, so there has been little investment in the foundations of a strong public health system including modern data systems and the workforce. We must end the boom-and-bust approach to public health funding to build the modern system this country needs. Public health professionals work on the frontlines every day. Congress and HHS agencies should support efforts to bolster recruitment, retention, and resilience of the public health workforce. TFAH's Pathway to a Healthier America: A Blueprint for Strengthening Public Health for the Next Administration and Congress provides recommendations to protect and strengthen America's public health system. https://lnkd.in/eM38YcEY

Public health is essential for all; however, minorities often face significant disparities that adversely affect their health and well-being. In our latest blog post, we explore these disparities and discuss how public health leaders, including students in our Master of Public Health program, are working to create positive change. Learn more about their impactful efforts. https://bit.ly/3wFEGcG

Professor Mantel and Ms. Singh asserts "At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, expressions of solidarity by politicians, celebrities, and Facebook posters were seemingly everywhere, encapsulated in the catchphrase “We're all in this together.” But while all of us have been affected by COVID-19, its impact has been anything but equal. In particular, existing inequities in income, employment, safe housing, transportation, and, most crucially, in health care have contributed to socioeconomically disadvantaged groups experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and death. Given the link between these pre-existing inequities and COVID-19 health disparities, the pandemic has revealed the necessity of building a more sustainable public health system that better meets the needs of economically and socially marginalized populations. This Article describes one approach for doing so-- leveraging the skills and resources of community-based integrated health teams (CIHTs) to support public health emergency responses that coordinate medical, behavioral health, and social services."