Promoting Good Health in the Community
Providing opportunities for community members to learn about ways to improve health is a great way to educate, inform, and promote life-changing messages. Health fairs, condition-specific education programs, support groups, and “meet the expert” lectures bring people together, build community, and enable healthcare organizations to interact with community members. Additionally, many students attending accredited health-related specialty programs are required to engage in community programs (for example, pharmacy students are required to complete 300 hours of practice experience and half of those can be obtained through health-related events!!). These events can be good for all members of the community.
In addition to engaging healthcare students and professionals, health-related events are a great way to relay super important information that may otherwise not get to those who need it the most. Residents often attend local community events and one study showed that 78% of attendees that learned about a health issue of concern followed up with their physician. Literally, fun, casual events can save lives by sharing the right information with the right person at the right time.
Any healthcare professional or community member can be inspired to create an event or program as a means of disseminating health-related information. Whether you are a facility administrator respiratory therapist, dietician, RN, physical or occupational therapist, health informatics expert, you can lead the way, engage the appropriate people and create a program or community event. Here are some steps to take as you plan:
Let’s say that you are in administration at your facility and the parent of a child with diabetes. The pediatrician had a brochure for a parent support group that was an invaluable resource. You want to make sure that other parents are aware that support is available and you decide you want to create a health expo that will be held in the local community center. The goal for the event will be to reach as many people as possible so they can share the information with people who need it. Another goal could be that in addition to promoting the support group you want to provide an outlet for vendors providing services to families addressing juvenile diabetes. These vendors could include a dietician who does menu planning, an occupational therapist who works with children to teach them ways to integrate any technology and devices into everyday life for functional skills, and a monthly weekend camp program specifically for children with juvenile diabetes. Other vendors can include durable medical equipment providers, as well as organizations providing support for disease management.
Creating a supportive environment for the vendors will provide invaluable networking opportunities. They will not only be able to share their services or products, they will connect with other businesses seeking to help the same population. Additionally, you can ask them to conduct a program to make the event more interactive and fun. Perhaps the dietician can do a cooking demonstration, the occupational therapist can lead an interactive game for all family members, and the camp program can do a fun fitness class. Now you have created an active program while disseminating much needed, lifesaving information.
Committees provide opportunities for individuals, organizations, municipalities, and corporations to participate. Also, get your stakeholders involved – patients/families, providers, healthcare systems, community and faith-based organizations, insurance companies, medical equipment vendors, hospitals, and municipalities.
If there is low to no budget, don’t be discouraged. Engage Committee members and find partners who can become sponsors and donate the space, marketing and promotion, as well as all other necessary components. Provide partners and supporters with visibility and exposure, publicly thank them for their support to help children with juvenile diabetes.
Find a location that is accessible, available, and has appropriate space for the vendors and the programming within your budget. Use all aspects of the venue. Wall space for messaging and informing, create environment for social interaction, have a specific vendor marketplace that is energetic. Remember that many community organizations, hospitals, and educational facilities have event space that may be available for low to no cost.
Vendors should align with the theme of the event, i.e., juvenile diabetes. Vendors can pay for their space which can increase budget opportunities. Remember, vendors like to get a return on their investment (ROI) so create an event that engages them and provides the opportunity to network with potential customers and referral sources.
For the juvenile diabetes support group event, engage the provider to help market the program to patients, staff, and employees. Have information posted in the office and explore opportunities for the provider to outreach to patient based on their consent. Additionally, event can be promote through the Committee members and their respective businesses, alliances, and social connections. Sponsors and vendors can also promote the event through email, text, fliers, and other promotional efforts for their businesses.
Health fairs and expos can be great ways to bring people together to promote health-related opportunities. Having said that, they are a lot of work and require support from various stakeholders, this may not be an option for all communities.
There are other ways to educate and inform about health choices:
Community health is a collaboration. Find your passion and share your interests and good health with others.