The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated a need to strengthen the US public health system by shifting toward much greater community engagement and leadership. In November and December 2023, we conducted separate online surveys of community-based organizations and large metropolitan health departments to identify barriers and opportunities for building a public health system with strong community partnerships. Identified barriers included mistrust, siloed health departments with structural challenges in funding community-based organizations, and insufficient shared decision making. The surveys helped inform our six policy recommendations: establish state and local community councils to formalize the roles of community-based organizations in public health decision making; dedicate funding to these organizations; offer funding that is not limited to a specific disease or condition; simplify procurement and reporting processes directed to community-based organizations; create a training and technical assistance program for these organizations; and increase public health worker diversity, including sustainable funding for community health workers. (author abstract)
The community as a full partner: A new model for public health
Individual Author(s) / Organizational Author
Chen, Alice T.
Smith, Denise O.
Ojikutu, Bisola O.
Auerbach, John
Publisher
Health Affairs
Date
June 2024
Abstract / Description
Copyright
Yes
Artifact Type
Application
Research
Reference Type
Journal Article
Topic Area
Policy and Practice » Community-rooted/Participatory Research