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Public Health Assessment & Planning
Introduction
Purpose of Program
Health assessment of a community is a core function of a local health department.
Timely data is needed by health care institutions and community agencies to anticipate
and act upon public health issues. This program provides on-going health assessment
of the community, and utilizes the data to identify community health problems, establish
effective solutions, and evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions. This community
process involves an advisory group comprised of major stakeholders in the outcomes,
research on effective interventions, presentation of findings to the community, community
input into the development of effective service models, and feedback on the success of
implemented strategies through ongoing health assessment. Activities are linked closely
to the Healthy Manchester Leadership Council which analyzes and plans service
related needs of the community.
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Background
There is broad recognition that local health departments and community health care
providers must collaborate on community health issues since neither body can function
effectively without the support of the other. This need is even more important in a
managed care environment where it is envisioned that existing resources can serve
many more individuals than in the past. The success of public health programs is of
paramount importance to community health care providers, insurers, and public
funders of health care. Too often, health programs are planned and provided in
isolation from other affected agencies and the community, or the program design is
not based on proper research or cost effective methodologies. Public health issues
are often complex, in that many segments of the community are involved as both
affected or necessary components for actions. Lastly, current approaches to the
provision of public health services do not include a component of feedback or evaluation
due to the lack of local health data that is available on a timely basis. This program
provides such data on a timely and regular basis the Manchester Health Department
can beneficially impact these issues through the completion of its responsibility for
community health assessment and community health policy development.
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Highlights of Manchester Public Health Assessment and Planning Program
- On-going local health assessment (public health report cards, etc.)
- Heightened community awareness of public health issues and
community mobilization around important public health issues
(conferences, presentations, reports, development of community
action plans, etc.)
- Research to find solutions (i.e. "community models that work")
- Developed partnerships and linkages (business, community
agencies, insurers, health care, and elected officials)
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Projected Program Accomplishments- Direct savings to health care organizations, the State, and the
Federal Government
- Improved health and quality of life for Manchester citizens.
- Maximized utilization of resources and possibly additional resources
from outside funding resulting from improved community knowledge
of problems and objective data
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