- Learn about your own health -- blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, etc.-- and identify your own risk factors -- smoking, exercise, genetic, occupational, etc. Learn about nutrition and food labeling, understand the role and value of regular exercise and preventive care and practice good personal hygiene.
- Access the resources available to you: public parks and trails for exercise; stores for fresh fruits and vegetables; your healthcare provider for preventive care; public health services for information, tools and statistics; schools for education and training; and community and church groups for social engagement and personal fulfillment.
- Participate in public health education and screening programs, join support programs to help you with your problems, and implement your regular fitness and wellness program.
- Change your own behaviors, take charge and understand yourself, identify inhibitors to personal change, identify resources that can help you change, set a plan and then do it. Specific behaviors to nurture include regular physical activity, healthier weight, good nutrition, no tobacco use or substance abuse, responsible sexual behavior, mental health well-being, safe and injury-free activities, regular immunizations and routine preventative health care.
- Teach and mentor others, especially your own and the community‘s children. Set an example of sound health behaviors; discuss healthy living and your personal plans and habits. Be active. Share through your example.
- Mobilize individuals and organizations, which care about the health of your community, into a coalition.
- Plan your approach: Start with a vision of where you want to be as a community, then add strategies and action steps to help you achieve that vision. Reach out and embrace the diversity in your community when building these plans.
- Implement your plan using concrete action steps that can be monitored and will make a difference. Attend public hearings and speak with your elected and appointed government personnel about health in your community.
- Track your progress over time.
This report also contains discussions on several critical
aspects of community involvement,
including reducing disparities, improving
prenatal care, selecting evidence-based
interventions and activating community resources to address
obesity.
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