The Role of Community Mobilization in Health Promotion - Essay Example

Health Promotion Health Promotion Executive Summary Community based approaches have playeda significant role in persuading health and safety programs. Community mobilization is perceived as a long-standing promotion tradition that has greater influenced health promotion. This paper analyzes the significance and effectiveness of community mobilization as a mean to promote health in Australia and New Zealand. It further provides information on the development of the health promotion in Australia and New Zealand to address public health issues. Introduction Community Mobilization has become one of the significant strategies to increase demand for the use of health services. It has been used throughout the time to increase awareness among the community to determine their own needs and respond them accordingly. Community mobilization provides a wider platform for the health issues, where individuals understanding can be improved regarding health care methods and services that the community is able to attain through service utilization. However, barriers to services should be determined, with respect to the need to the community to increase its utilization. Community mobilization has developed a linkage between communities and health care institutions by spreading awareness and increasing the access, and equality in the health care sector. Formicola and Cordero (2013) in his study explains community mobilization as a process of development process in which individual or group get involved in activities, plans through in order to attain health, it can either be attained through individuals assistance or self motivation (Formicola & Cordero 2013). In the contemporary times, community capacity building in health promotion is perceived as a better approach to solve public health problems. In the last two decades, Australia health care institutions and government have focused to implement community mobilization for health promotion to address public health issues. The implementation of community based programs has resulted in positive health outcomes due to which the development of health promotion through community programs are gaining attention of several health care professionals. However, there are still a number of public health challenges that remain unsolved which have to be adequately addressed. Here the discussion is made regarding the success achieved by different community based programs that have improved health issues in Australia and New Zealand. Furthermore, the paper shall also determine the potential strength of Australia to address public health problems. Background Community mobilization for health promotion has gained popularity throughout the world. It is believed to be one of the effective approaches to determine health issues and address them adequately. Since the last two decades, community mobilization has been practices in Australia for health promotion (Communities that care: A prevention approach to build the resilience of young people in ou communities 2000). The population has a need for a significant improvement in the health issues. New Zealand and Australia have emphasized on community based health care practices to overcome major health diseases, like HIV, Breast Cancer, Drug Substance, etc. (Walley & Wright 2010). The Australian Federation takes the responsibility to provide nation’s public health services. Several health care and health promotion policies and community programs have been designed and implemented at the regional, territorial and state level. However, commonwealth health authority and the health promotion teams are engaged to mobilize communities in order to promote health care (Communities that care: A prevention approach to build the resilience of young people in our communities 2000). These organizations play a significant role to promote health care promotion in the regions of Australia and New Zealand. Various channels are involved to promote health care promotion activities in the region; it involves governmental and nongovernmental, community, public and general health care institutions and hospitals (Fertman & Allensworth 2010; Strader, Collins & Noe 2000). In comparison, the arrangements in the public health sector in New Zealand have undergone various changes in the past ten years (Breton & Leeuw 2011). Most of the health care funding is provided by the national government, whereas, the local government contributes little in the health promotion (Breton & Leeuw 2011). Ministry of Health and Public Health groups are the main bodies that promote health policies. Contract providers also provide health promotion services. Both countries’ legislations emphasize on the standards for water, air, and food provided to the population and also, those related to diseases. Communities have emphasized on health promotion efforts, such as alcohol levels among drivers, community control for drug substance, prevention and controlling campaigns of HIV, etc. through several multimedia channels that have positively influenced health outcomes and greatly contributed for community wide education and health literacy about public health issues (Stephens 2013). Australia and New Zealand are working on the framework at a broader platform to enable individuals to get involved in the health promotion according to the priority of communities (Communities that care: A prevention approach to build the resilience of young people in ou communities 2000). Australia’s health priorities are cardio vascular diseases, cancer, cognitive diseases, injury prevention and diabetes that are being addressed in different public health strategies through governmental and non-governmental community development programs (Stephens 2013). Mass media has been one of the effective mediums to education and mobilize communities for advocacy, support, and promote health (Stephens 2013). Health promotion programs in the schools have showed greater health related awareness than the other health promotion programs. It is also said that the education in early ages has longer and lasting impacts on health outcomes. Literature Review Number of theories has been proposed for the community bases health promotion strategies. This conceptual framework provides understanding about different theories and models that are implemented for the community mobilization. Trans-theoretical model of behavior change can be applied to the community mobilization as the model assesses change in individual’s behavior. Prochaska and Velice (1997) in their study highlighted that the trans-theoretical model determined health behavior change in individual through six stages of change that are Pre contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and termination. The application of this model can be an effective to determine the change in the health behavior among individuals through health promotion (Prochaska & Velicer 1997). Diffusion of Innovation Theory predicts that the how an idea or product gains attention of individuals and diffuses among specific populations. The end result of this diffusion leads the community or society to adopt a new idea or behavior (Breton & Leeuw 2011). The theory can be effective to determine community mobilization for health promotion in the society. It can allow an in-depth understanding about how health promotion has been diffused in the community (Laverack 2006). The theory presents Social Movement theory can be applied to determine community mobilization that reshapes individual’s opinion (Stephens 2013). This theory can be an effective source for my essay to determine the behavior patterns of the society in order to understand their social norms and behaviors and developing policies that meet the ethical and social needs of the society. It also provides information about the restrains and resistance of the community towards particular health issues. The theory can be applied to determine public health issues that are prevailing in the society. It is one of the strongest theories as it includes multiple strains of thoughts social movement among the nation, classes, races and large-scale change in the society (Schiavo 2011). The health promotion can take under consideration before design social media campaigns. Therefore, relevant community mobilization is applied to understand the macro level social movements, consistent key elements, and principles of social movement are reviewed to determine the change in the community (Stephens 2013). Furthermore, Community Empowerment, Development and Capacity principles are applicable to determine relevant intervention that are required for mobilize communities to attain a healthier lifestyle. The theory is effective to determine development and mobilization in communities through health promotion campaigns (Nilsen 2006). Nilsen (2006) defines, Social Empowerment as a process of individuals, communities and organization to overcome the issues through the assistance through changing their social and political environment to promote health awareness in the society (Nilsen 2006). Importance Community Mobilization Australia and New Zealand have a mixed progress towards the health improvement as both of the countries have an indigenous population, growing cultural and linguistic diversity (Communities that care: A prevention approach to build the resilience of young people in our communities 2000). Majority of the workforce in countries is indigenous people that have limited English language skills and education experiences in the region. However, several health campaigns and programs have been persuaded on the governmental and non-governmental level due to which a significant decline in the mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases, cervical cancer, lung cancer and asthma has been observed. In addition, a decline in the injuries and motor vehicle crashes has also been observed. The HIV campaigns have reduced deaths from the disease. Mixed progress behavior has been determined among the communities of New Zealand and Australia (Laverack 2006). Young people have higher rates of smoking than others due to the socioeconomic gradient. In addition, significant change in nutritious food intake and inclination towards physical activities has been observed. However, the increase in the obesity has been observed. The drug substance community programs have showed a decline in the alcohol consumption. The decline in the premature mortality and maternal deaths has slowed down (2012: National Drugs Campaign 2011 - 2012 2014). There has been a great increase in the transnational in the both countries due to which there have been great benefits form these changes; it has eliminated the potential harmful implications for health. Infrastructure and Strategies for Health Promotion Australia and New Zealand’s Local governments also contribute in the health care development. Several government and non-government organizations are engaged in community mobilization, such as, AIDS foundation, Mental Health Foundation, etc. The healthily together Achievement program in the early childhood education and care services ahs shows significant positive impacts on the health outcomes. A decrease of 14 percent in the substance drug abuse has been observed (Stephens 2013). HIV health promotion programs in Australia can be identified as the major health promotion campaigns that have been persuaded under Trans-theoretical model. If we analyze the health statistics of Australia during 1990-1998 it can be observed that the government and nongovernmental organization have unified their efforts to overcome the disease. The development of technology has provided several mass mediums to spread awareness about the health issues in communities. There are five different adopter characteristics and strategies that can be implemented in order to enhance health promotion in the community. Number of health campaigns such as HIV AIDS, Breast Cancer and Substance drug abuse campaign used several means of communication and mass media to spread awareness about the health related issues and prevention methods. According to Stephens (2013), health promotion in the community mainly focuses on the empowerment, awareness about the health issues and necessary guidelines to address these issues through every day practices (Stephens 2013). These can be obtained through empowerment of the community to maintain power and privilege across social division. As Australia has people from different races, classes and nations therefore it is essential that the health promotion program should take a neutral approach to spread awareness. Any of the idea that harms the issues and strains of the society can be prevails over with using appropriate measures (Stephens 2013). Social empowerment facilitate community empowerment for health promotion that empowers them to participate, problem assessment, leadership, organizational structure, etc. as it can increase the sense of community towards the issue (Schiavo 2011). The governmental make use of concepts of community organization it empowers imbalances civic participation and developing a sense of community towards health promotion (Glanz, Rimer & Viswanath 2009). Five concepts of community organization can be applied to the community organization including community capacity, issue, selection, empowerment, critical consciousness and participation and relevance (Glanz, Rimer & Viswanath 2009). Community capacity can be applied to determine the dynamics of the community traits, resources and associated patterns to determine necessary steps that are required for community building and community health improvement (Schiavo 2011). Policies, laws and Regulation The legislative bodies of the both countries focus on the health promotion efforts to enhance the community wide education to build health literacy among people to ensure health (Communities that care: A prevention approach to build the resilience of young people in our communities 2000). Since last two decades, Australia and New Zealand has accentuated health promotion disciple. The national health care authorities and organizations are focused on the national priorities that have contributed towards a significant progress of the health promotion activities. It has provided well support to the non governmental organizations to mobilize the community. Government stresses on comprehensive, sustainable programs to determine health status of the population. Community mobilization in Australia and New Zealand mainly stresses, on the increase the use intersectional action in order to enhance development of the partnership to promote health issues (The Guide to Community Preventive Services : What Works to Promote Health?: What Works to Promote Health? 2005). Different public policies have contributed to structural change to ensure protection and promotion of health. For example: Australian government’s policies are developed to promote healthy lifestyle, addressing obesity through the policies such as, Get set 4 Life (healthy habits for children), Health spaces and Places, Healthy weight information and resources etc. In addition, paid advertisements through mass mediums such as Television ads, banners, websites, and discussion forums have increased the awareness among the population. Community mobilization strategies have greatly influenced the behavior and health outcomes at different level, such as, families, peer, groups, schools, and community (Breton & Leeuw 2011). These efforts vary with the different geographical interest of the communities. One the evidence can be derived from the Federal government’s Stronger Families and Communities Strategy that was initiated in 2000. The main objective of this program is to support and strengthen family and early hood development (Stronger families and Communities Strategy National Evalution 2007). However, it does not address the issues of young people but it eventually has greater impacts on the upcoming generation. This program serves as an early intervention and prevention that can be applied to the communities to bring future benefits that can reduce the substance drug abuse in the families (Acton 2012). Community mobilization has been extensively used throughout the time to overcome severe diseases prevailing in the society. Good implementation of community mobilization strategies can be an effective strategy to restrain the use of harmful drugs in young people. National Dugs Campaign (2011-2012) has showed reduction in the drug usage among the youth. The primary target audience is the young people belonging to the age from 15 to 21 years, and the secondary audiences for them are their parents. The findings show that about sixty two percent and 57 percent of the parents have greatly distinguished between campaign materials (2012: National Drugs Campaign 2011 - 2012 2014). The program focuses on the drug education curriculum for students of grade 6-7. After the three-year period, a great decline in the use of tobacco, marijuana or alcohol among the students substance use have relatively declined (Gordon, Whitear & Guthre 1997). In addition, positive impact on the drug use and mediating risk and protective factors that is the attitudes, knowledge and involvement of the drug use. The programs assess to prevent early initiation of alcohol use. The outcomes of the programs show that the fewer students were likely or intended to use alcohol; this eventually declined the use of alcohol. However, a very change in the young people’s use and exposure to ecstasy has been observed (Breton & Leeuw 2011). The initiation initiatives that the program attempted to mobilize the people resulted in a positive outcomes, as individual’s practices healthier lifestyle interventions. Increasing awareness among the youth population is the main focus of these programs it is because awareness in the early age is effective and prevents disease or addictiveness to severe stages. Furthermore, HIV incidence in Australia has greatly declined after the Commonwealth Government that has changed the education and prevention among public about HIV. After the initiation of Grim Reaper Campaign a great decline in the crude death rate from AIDS has been observed (Communities that care: A prevention approach to build the resilience of young people in ou communities 2000). Sexual abuse programs in Queensland decreased substance abuse problems to about 12 percent during 1995-2000. It also assessed 70 percent of the males to overcome with the suicides and psychological treatment that significantly decreased suicide rate from abuses. The program changed the behavior of individuals towards the unprotected intercourse with the casual partners. A decline of almost 25 percent in the unprotected intercourse have been observed due to which 25 percent decline in the transmission rate of the disease changed the HIV risk Behavior (Communities that care: A prevention approach to build the resilience of young people in ou communities 2000). Conclusion From the above information it can be derived that the mobilizing community plays a significant role for health promotion in the society. The evidence shows that the community mobilizing has greater and lasting impacts to address public health issues. Spreading awareness among larger groups can allow eliminating health issues in society for a longer period. Community mobilization involves complex issues due to which well-developed network and co-ordination are required to understand and evaluate the health issues in depth. Effective mass mediums and early intervention programs remain highlighted focus for the community mobilization in Australia and New Zealand. It is due to the reason that the awareness at an early age can change the perception and behavior of individuals that can be transmitted in the upcoming generation. In addition, policies and regulation play a crucial role for the health promotion in the community. If the community mobilization strategies are designed carefully perceiving cultural, social and political factors, then the outcomes of health promotion community programs can be enhanced. List of References 2012: National Drugs Campaign 2011 - 2012 2014, . Acton, QA 2012, Issues in National, Regional, and Environmental Health and Medicine: 2011 Edition, Scholarly Editions, London. Acton, QA 2013, Virus Diseases: New Insights for the Healthcare Professiona, ScholarlyEditions, London. Breton, E & Leeuw, E 2011, Theories of the policy process in health promotion research: a review, Health Promotion International, vol 26, no. 1, pp. 82-90. 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National Health and Medical Research Council 2001, Medical Research, National Health and Medical Research Council, Sydeny. Nilsen, P 2006, The Theory of Community Based Health and Safety programs, Inj Prev, vol 12, no. 3, p. 140–145.. Price, HB 2008, Mobilizing the Community to Help Students Succeed, ASCD, Virginia. Prochaska, JO & Velicer, WF 1997, The transtheoretical model of health behavior change, American Journal of Health Promotion, vol 12, no. 1, pp. 38-48. Schiavo, R 2011, Health Communication: From Theory to Practice, John Wiley and Sons, New Jersey. Stephens, C 2013, Beyond the barricades: Social movements as participatory practice in health promotion, Journal of Health Psychology, vol 19, no. 1, pp. 170-175. Strader, TN, Collins, D & Noe, T 2000, Building Healthy Individuals, Families, and Communities, Springer, New York. Stronger families and Communities Strategy National Evalution 2007, University of New South, University of New South. The Guide to Community Preventive Services : What Works to Promote Health?: What Works to Promote Health? 2005, Task Force on Community Preventive Services, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Walley, J & Wright, J 2010, Public Health: An Action Guide to Improving Health, Oxford University Press, Oxford. Read More