MDHB News

Public Health: Healthy Communities

The health sector in isolation has a limited ability to improve public health. MidCentral Health, Public Health Service strives to influence factors in the external environment which can impact on community and individual health.

Healthy Homes project: Improving insulation in old houses has been shown to have a significant impact on the health of the occupants.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines a healthy community as "… one that is continually creating and improving those physical and social environments and expanding those community resources that enable people to mutually support each other in performing all the functions of life and in developing to their maximum potential."

The concept of a healthy community is a simple one, recognizing that the major determinants of health are located outside individuals and their own actions and have little to do with what is known as the health care system. Rather, health is determined by equitable access to such basic prerequisites for health as peace, food, housing, transport, clean air and water, adequate resources, education, income, a safe physical environment, parenting, social supports, cultural development and so on.
The health of the individual is heavily influenced by these factors and the health sector cannot therefore improve public health on its own.

MidCentral Health’s Public Health Service works with Government agencies, non government organisations and the community to promote the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of communities. This includes advocating at national, local and community level for policies which support healthy communities.

There is an emphasis on activities which support Maori, Pacific and low socio economic populations. We also encourage and support community action and community development activities which contribute positively to the health of the community.

Some examples of these are

the Healthy Homes project, where older homes are insulated to make them warmer and drier which is shown to greatly improve health of occupants.
Manawatu Active Transport Strategy- a collaborative venture which sets out a strategy to get more people moving in Manawatu- making biking and walking easier- leading to healthy outcomes for the community
Health Impact Assessments- working with Councils and other agencies to carry out a health impact assessment on any intended policies and strategies to ensure there will be no unintended harmful consequences for health of community.

For further information:

Healthy Communities: Encyclopedia of Public Health

Disclaimer:

MidCentral District Health Board is not responsible for the contents or reliability of the linked websites and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them. Listing shall not be taken as endorsement of any kind. We cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time and we have no control over availability of the linked pages.