Development of a Public Health Initiative with a Coalition of Community and

Neighborhood Resources Using Community-Based Participation

To target a high risk community in northeastern Indiana using community-based participation principles to prioritize public health issues and support infrastructure toward initiatives for replication in other high risk neighborhoods

Empowering a Community• Shift of power to the residents• Community based participation approach• Public health action reduces risk for health disparity • Level of involvement is an asset to sustainability

Wendy Clark RN, DNP

Purpose

Factors Influencing Participation

Identification of Priority Initiatives

For more information

• Professional Partners: Elder Care, Depression, Obesity

• Community Participants: Safety > Housing > Health

• Quality of life = Goodper 93% of residents surveyed

• Trust• Associational memberships• Prior participation

30% of residents live below 200% of the federal poverty level

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Depression Diabetes Tobacco exposurefor children

Childhood obesity Use of theemergency room

46808 Health Disparities Compared to Allen County

Residents

• 46808• 91% of homes built

before 1971• White, Black, Hispanic• 33% have lived in here

> 20 years• 62% own their

residence• 75% are less than 65

years old

Neighborhood Anchors

• Church Leaders• Neighborhood

Association Presidents, leaders of the residents

• School Principles, seen as authority figures

Community Partners

• Board of Health• Healthy Homes• Habitat for Humanity• Community Action

Coalition• Fort Wayne Housing

Authority• Aging & In-Home Services• Community Health Nurse• Bowen Counseling Center• University of Saint Francis

The Coalition

Barriers• Lack of community skills• Dominance of professionals• Lack of organizational abilities • Local political dynamics

Opportunities and Challenges• Continuing collaboration with community network• Bringing divergent groups together to promote

community well-being

46808 Fort Wayne, Indiana

Hea

lth

Hou

singSaf

etyGang activity

Theft/ Assault/ Mugging/ RobberyViolenceSafe structure in and around my homeSafety to and from school/local businessSafety in local parks

Affordable housingFinancial understanding of budgets and planningGarbage removal/ litteringRun down public spaces/ buildingsRats, mice, bedbugs, cockroaches

Obesity, asthma, or other health problemIrresponsible drinking and/or drug useMental healthDay care for the elderlyChildhood lead poisoningChild developmentParenting skills

Methods• Identify the at risk population• Map the location• Survey the residents• Develop the coalition• Develop the relationships• Initiate plans for the identified initiative

Per

cent

age

grea

ter