Aureus L. Desmond’s Post

Today, the Action for Healthy Communities team celebrated “Community Friday,” an ongoing initiative held on the last Friday of each month. During these events, we all wear a single color to demonstrate our unity, support, and commitment to building a healthier community. This month’s theme color was green. #A4HCcommunityfriday.

The team at Action for Healthy Communities, with a focus on building community capacity through information sharing has developed material whereby the Agency's mission and vision are advanced through the delivery of needed support services in helping newcomers and immigrants who are settling in Alberta.

The Value of Social Epidemiology theories in Settlement Support Practices. (Non-Profit Agency) Social epidemiology plays a crucial role in settlement support for non-profit organizations by providing valuable insights into the distribution and determinants of health and well-being within communities. When it comes to settlement support for non-profit organizations, social epidemiology helps in several ways: Identifying Needs: Social epidemiology helps non-profit organizations understand the health and social needs of the population they serve. By analyzing demographic data, health indicators, and social determinants of health, organizations can tailor their services to address the specific needs of different demographic groups within a settlement. Targeting Interventions: Social epidemiology enables non-profit organizations to target their interventions effectively. By identifying populations at higher risk for health disparities or social challenges, organizations can prioritize resources and design interventions that are more likely to have a meaningful impact on the community's well-being. Measuring Impact: Social epidemiology provides tools and methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of settlement support programs. Non-profit organizations can use epidemiological data to track changes in health outcomes, social determinants, and other relevant indicators over time, allowing them to assess the impact of their interventions and make necessary adjustments. Advocacy and Policy Change: Social epidemiology generates evidence that can inform advocacy efforts and policy change. By documenting disparities and identifying underlying social determinants of health, non-profit organizations can use epidemiological findings to advocate for policies and programs that address systemic barriers to health and well-being within settlements. Collaboration and Partnerships: Social epidemiology fosters collaboration and partnerships among non-profit organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, and other stakeholders. By sharing data, resources, and expertise, organizations can work together to develop comprehensive settlement support strategies that leverage the strengths of each partner. To this end, social epidemiology plays a critical role in settlement support for non-profit organizations by informing needs assessment, intervention design, evaluation, advocacy, and collaboration efforts. By leveraging epidemiological insights, organizations can better understand and address the health and social challenges faced by vulnerable communities and ultimately contributing to improved well-being and quality of life for newcomers and immigrants to Canada, inclusive of the health of the communities they choose to settle in.

Often times I see these short clips floating around social media about the best leadership traits a leader should harbour. However good they are, I feel sometimes those lack context. In my experience thus far, there is no right or wrong leadership style, it is depends on the culture of the organization, goals and mandate of the organization. Inclusive leadership, traditional or servant leadership styles, each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the "best" leadership style for an organization depends on various factors, including its culture, industry, and context. Rather than adhering to a single prescribed style, effective leaders often employ a flexible approach, drawing on different styles as needed to meet the evolving needs of their team and organization. By understanding the strengths and limitations of different leadership styles and adapting their approach accordingly, leaders can cultivate a dynamic and resilient organizational culture that thrives in an ever-changing world.

Health promotion is a critical aspect of public health, We aim to enhance well-being and prevent illness through education, behaviour change, and community involvement. As a public health professional with a focus on health promotion, my role is multifaceted in nature and can involve various responsibilities. Here are some key aspects of what we do in that profession. Community Education and Outreach: Develop and implement educational programs to raise awareness about health issues. Collaborate with community organizations, schools, and businesses to disseminate health information. Behavior Change Interventions: Design and implement interventions to promote healthy behaviors among individuals and communities. Use evidence-based strategies to encourage lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Policy Advocacy: Advocate for policies that support health promotion and create environments conducive to healthy living. Work with policymakers to implement changes in areas such as nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco control. Health Communication: Develop effective communication strategies to convey health messages to diverse populations. Utilize various media channels and technology to reach target audiences. Research and Evaluation: Conduct research to understand community health needs and assess the effectiveness of health promotion initiatives. Use data to guide decision-making and improve program outcomes. Partnerships and Collaboration: Collaborate with local health departments, community organizations, and healthcare providers to maximize the impact of health promotion efforts. Build partnerships to leverage resources and expertise for comprehensive health programs. Cultural Competence: Consider cultural diversity in health promotion efforts to ensure relevance and effectiveness across different populations. Tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of specific communities. Professional Development: Stay informed about current trends, research, and best practices in health promotion including attending conferences, workshops, and training sessions to enhance your skills and knowledge. Evaluation and Continuous Improvement: Regularly evaluate the success of health promotion initiatives and adjust strategies based on feedback and results. Embrace a culture of continuous improvement to enhance the impact of your programs. Advocacy for Social Determinants of Health: Recognize and address the social determinants of health that contribute to health inequities. Advocate for policies and initiatives that address broader social and economic factors impacting health.

Today we had the honour to represent Action for Health Communities (AHC) in a roundtable engagement with shareholders and community partners on the topic of strengthening our approaches to dealing and delivering services to vulnerable newcomers. The engagement sparked debates exploring different perspectives from a developed case study highlighting the importance and values of the community of Practice (CoP) that can be adopted to ensure the promotion of quality outcomes for the clients we serve through the lens of agency capacity and ability to meet emerging trends identified in the communities we serve. AHC remains committed to the belief of clients', and stakeholders' engagement to promote, and build a stronger and healthier society. #aasia2024

Words to serve as a reminder.