Why is collaboration important in public health?

Working together, sharing resources, and combining talents enhance the opportunities and likelihood for achieving positive health outcomes. Because of the complexity and cost of today’s health environment, public health agencies and others involved in prevention efforts cannot afford to work in isolation.

What are the importance of community health centers in our community?

When people are healthy, they contribute to the society. They go to school, hold jobs and take care of their families. The centers provide a continuum of care, helping patients manage chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

What is a benefit of community wellness centers?

Studies consistently show that community health centers provide care that improves health outcomes of their patients. The patients of these centers are also more likely to identify a usual source of care, and report having better relationships with their health care providers.

Why are collaborative partnerships important in public health?

Collaborative partnerships aim to change the environment in which behaviors and factors that are related to health occur. The premise is that, by changing the environment, partnerships can effect widespread behavioral change and improve population-level health outcomes.

What are the benefits of collaboration in health care?

Although these providers represent the safety net capacity for a large percentage of underserved or disadvantaged populations, the benefits of collaboration also enhance their respective ability to provide viable high quality, cost effective health care to the community at large.

Why are community partners important to community health?

Instead, cash-strapped hospitals need the help of community partners, like they received in McCook. “As the scarcity of resources in communities occurs, a larger amount of collaboration is required to meet the needs of communities,” Friesen explained. “The scarcity of resources has had an unintended consequence which has been very positive.

How often do Healthcare Organizations need to do community health assessment?

Healthcare organizations can identify potential partnerships by conducting a community health needs assessment, which per the Affordable Care Act must be conducted at least once every three years for non-profit hospitals. Organizations can also look at overall trends.

Who are the stakeholders in a Community Health Partnership?

Successful community healthcare partnerships usually have three key stakeholders – the hospital and its partners within the community. This demonstrates strong collaboration within the community and highlights a shared vision to advance health of the community, Friesen explained.