Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health’s Post

The City of Laredo Public Health Department is proud to announce the release of its highly anticipated Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), a strategic framework designed to elevate the health and well-being of the community. This significant milestone follows an exhaustive 2022-2023 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), during which we engaged with community members and healthcare experts to gather comprehensive data, insights, and perspectives. The #CHNA played a pivotal role in shaping the City of Laredo's #CHIP, providing a robust foundation rooted in the specific needs and aspirations of our diverse community. The plan, developed with a forward-thinking approach, reflects our commitment to creating a #healthierfuture for Laredo by leveraging the most current and relevant #data available.   The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is more than a document; it is a visionary roadmap outlining Laredo Public Health’s commitment to fostering a healthier Laredo for years to come. By identifying key areas for improvement and setting measurable goals, the plan serves as a comprehensive guide for directing our efforts toward enhancing the quality of life for all residents. Key highlights of the #CHIP include a series of #goals and objectives addressing a wide range of health-related issues. From preventative healthcare measures to community outreach initiatives, the plan encompasses strategies to address immediate concerns and build a foundation for sustained well-being. The City of Laredo Public Health team is eager to collaborate with community stakeholders, local organizations, and healthcare providers to bring these objectives to fruition.   "We are excited to unveil the Community Health Improvement Plan, which reflects the collaborative spirit and dedication of our community towards creating a healthier Laredo," said Laredo Public Health Director Dr. Richard A. Chamberlain. "This plan is a testament to our commitment to your well-being, and we look forward to working hand-in-hand with our community to achieve these shared goals."   The City of Laredo Public Health encourages residents, community leaders, and stakeholders to review the Community Health Improvement Plan, available on our official website Community Health Improvement Plan | Laredo, TX (cityoflaredo.com). This document represents a collective effort to prioritize and address the health needs of our community, shaping a brighter and healthier future for Laredo. To view the document, follow the link: https://lnkd.in/gb-MV4kh #LaredoPublicHealth #CommunityHealthImprovementPlan #LaredoFirst #Betterhealththroughbetterpartnerships

What could be better…..a full health care team in your back pocket!! Firefly Health offers all Community Health Options Members the choice of a virtual team based approach with a focus on services delivered by a PCP, Nurse Practitioner, behavioral health specialist and health coach. Members select their team just like they would any other PCP provider. When Mrmbers need in-person care, Firefly will set it all up. Read more about it!!#FireflyHealth #Communityhealthoptions

We often talk about community health in Africa, Asia, or Latin America, but this is a great example of its core principles being applied in the US: 1. Figure out who is being excluded from impactful services 2. Work hand-in-hand with communities to find solutions, and make them happen 3. Often those solutions will involve bringing services closer to where people live and work #communityhealth https://lnkd.in/ex2VqqNA

🌟 Community Health Improvement Week - June 1st Week 🌟 As we celebrate Community Health Improvement Week, let’s take a moment to recognize the incredible efforts of healthcare professionals, community leaders, and individuals who are dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of our communities. This week is a reminder of the power of collaboration and the impact of our collective efforts. Focusing on preventive measures and promoting healthy lifestyles helps reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases. Improving access to healthcare services ensures that everyone receives the care they need, regardless of their background or circumstances. Educating the community about health risks and healthy habits empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Building strong support systems within communities fosters resilience and improves mental health and well-being. Striving for health equity ensures that all community members have the opportunity to achieve their highest level of health. This week, let's celebrate the progress we've made and renew our commitment to building healthier, stronger communities. Whether through volunteering, advocating for better healthcare policies, or simply spreading awareness, every action counts. #CommunityHealthImprovementWeek #PublicHealth #HealthyCommunities #Wellness #HealthEquity #NAYS

This year, two topics will dominate the health discourse at the upcoming #UNGA78: universal health coverage and pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. The two topics are normally treated in siloes but find common ground when considering the need for “equitable, people-centered and community-based primary care”. This can only be achieved through the integration of community health - and paid, professional, and supported community health workers into the formal health system. Community Health Impact Coalition, mothers2mothers, Integrate Health, Muso, VillageReach and many others will be taking community health and #healthforall across the ocean to New York… to change the water. Explanation here: https://lnkd.in/enUx8nMz #communityhealth #communityhealthworkers

Implementing changes to the structures in place can be challenging. The Strategies to Repair Equity and Transform Community Health (STRETCH) Initiative aimed to help state health agencies and communities practically apply changes to policies, processes and relationships. Read through STRETCH's recommendations for how all state public health agencies can apply this approach to their projects--one small step at a time. https://cdcf.link/3EvXivY Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and MPHI (STRETCH is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation )

As we begin a new month, it's important to continue our discussion on the top challenges facing community health practices. Today, we're focusing on community engagement, which is vital but can also be quite challenging. According to community members, lack of awareness, limited access to services, language and cultural barriers, stigma, socioeconomic factors, and trust issues are the leading factors impacting engagement. These factors directly or indirectly intersect with social disparities of health, making it crucial for community practices to understand their patient population and associated barriers to maintaining health. Community outreach activities can be valuable in breaking down barriers, providing resources and education, and establishing relationships between provider organizations and communities. For small and rural communities, where there is typically only one healthcare option, it's critical for the local practice to be seen as a community partner. Unfortunately, financial pressures and recruitment challenges negatively impact community practices, making sustainability difficult in these areas. In fact, most community healthcare practices today, including clinics and hospitals, struggle to maintain positive operating margins. The lesson here is clear: know your patient population, understand what disparities may exist that hinder engagement, and design interventions and delivery channels that best align with the population. By doing so, community practices can establish trust, build relationships, and ultimately improve health outcomes for their communities. Addition read on this subject: https://lnkd.in/gBAiUdqE

📢 Stepping up: Victoria's health services lead the way. Victoria's rural and regional community health services are gearing up to address health inequity across the state. The recent Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health (ARRCH) conference highlighted innovative health programs and research, emphasising the sector's readiness to meet growing demands. Celebrating 50 years since community health's inception in Australia, the conference showcased the sector's significant impact and its readiness to scale up. With a focus on health equity and community-driven initiatives, ARRCH is poised to make even more significant strides in the future. Dive deeper into the insights from the conference and learn more about the future of health services in Victoria. Read the full article here: https://ow.ly/lPLg50PXWrS

The future of #seniorcare requires that we provide them with the tools for #healthyaging, the services to #ageinplace and the connections to #ageincommunity which are a key focus of the navigation project. #proudmoment

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 Despite the significant challenges that health care has experienced in recent years, Providence remains unwavering in our commitment to helping others, especially the poor and vulnerable. It’s what our Mission calls us do to do. In 2023, Providence invested nearly $2.1 billion in community benefit programs, including free and discounted, low-cost care; subsidized services; and proactive community health improvement programs. This significant investment represents an increased focus on addressing root causes of community health issues. Addressing the needs of our communities is at the core of our values. These strategic investments play a crucial role in meeting essential health care needs, removing obstacles to care, building community resilience, and driving innovation. I encourage you to read our 2023 Annual Report to Our Communities for a detailed overview of these investments. The report also features inspiring examples of our programs in action and highlights how we are making a lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of others. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Providence’s caregivers, physicians and community partners across the seven states we serve for their invaluable support. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/gaFdCKdQ #healthcare #hospitals #healthsystems