Community Context

Community Members, Culture, History, and Narratives

• Many communities have a long history of formal and informal community engagement through associations, youth councils, congregations, and other avenues of civic participation.
• Culture and history play a significant role in understanding opportunities for (and sometimes resistance to) partnership and community engagement. They should inform preparation efforts, especially relationship building and strategy selection.
• A community’s history of social and structural injustices such as racism, classism, and other “isms” may require more intentional, transparent, and reciprocal actions and processes in order to build the relationships, mutual understanding, and trust that is necessary for success.
• Narratives within a community express deeply held values and beliefs, shape collective or sub-group identities, and influence decision making and policies. They can also create divisions and reinforce power imbalances that elevate those with resources while silencing others. It is essential to understand how dominant narratives may be contributing to health inequities within a community, and implement steps towards transformative and healthy narratives.

Business, Government, and Nonprofit Sector(s) and Coalitions

• Business leaders have a keen understanding of economic opportunities that may result from a healthier community, and can often contribute financial and in-kind resources.
• Longtime leaders and government officials have considerable control over community resources and policy-making processes and can be trusted, powerful allies and champions. They can also be sources of mistrust and resistance to change in a community.
• Active nonprofit and service agencies typically serve people most impacted by health inequities. They are often effective advocates, have relationships and frequent contact with community members and civic groups, and are capable of bringing new grants and complementary resources for health improvement initiatives.
• Appointed advisory boards and community coalitions can offer their networks, knowledge, and diverse perspectives.

Policies, Plans, and Systems

• Community policies and plans can present both opportunities for and barriers to health, so community-change partners are wise to consider these as elements that can promote or hinder healthy lifestyles.
• Existing programs may offer an opportunity to leverage advocacy efforts toward supportive policies and to build demand for healthier community environments.
• Changes to local and regional systems, like criminal justice, education, transportation, healthcare, housing, parks/recreation, and food systems represent integrated, comprehensive, and sustainable ways to improve population health by addressing many of the root causes that contribute to inequitable health outcomes.

Resources, Environments, and Location

• Existing resources may be used to leverage financial and in-kind investments from foundations, businesses, governments, and other stakeholders which, in turn, can complement and accelerate community change efforts.
• Built and natural environments present both opportunities for and barriers to health, so community-change partners are wise to consider these as elements that can promote or hinder healthy lifestyles. Built environments refer to the spaces we create and can support healthy lifestyles such as active living, healthy eating, and social connections. Natural environments should be preserved to support health and include greenspaces and bluespaces (bodies of water).
• Social environments are spaces within communities that enable people to feel a sense of belonging and interact. Social connections are formed through community events, programs, classes, and other activities where people gather. It is also important to design community spaces in ways that increase the likelihood of people being together, such as on sidewalks, in parks and markets, and other public places.
• Geographic location may offer unique opportunities for achieving goals. For example, a community with a winter climate will require different strategies than one in a temperate climate. Some locations also may have specific political or natural boundaries, like those that border other countries or are surrounded by mountains and rivers.