Author: Kailee Curtis

Health Promotion, Prevention, and Education

The primary purpose of population-based health promotion and education is to prevent disease, illness, and injury. Preventing these problems before they happen can lead to reduced demands on the healthcare system; better health outcomes for individuals; and overall healthier, safer, and more engaged communities. All local health departments in Michigan carry out at least some health promotion and education activities, often in conjunction with community partners and coalitions. Addressed topics can include injury prevention, chronic disease, lead poisoning, and mental health, among countless others.

Key Positions
Community Health Promotion Specialist
Epidemiologist / Data Analyst

Combined FTE: 3.8

Meets Public Health Standards:

ü	Michigan Public Health Code
ü	MI Local Public Health Accreditation
ü	Public Health Accreditation Board

Aligns with BEDHD Strategic Priorities:

Health Improvement Efforts:

A strong, healthy start in life
Healthy and safe food, water, and air
Protect the community from potential health hazards
Enhance involvement , engagement, and collaboration
Assure high-quality, efficient operations aligned with community priorities
A healthy, efficient, and proficient workforce

ü	Barry Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan
ü	Eaton Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan

$91,883

Services:
The health promotion, prevention, and education staff at BEDHD work on a wide range of topics. BEDHD organizes four community health coalitions and participates in about 25 others to develop community partnerships and engage in policy development/support. Staff attend health fairs, give community presentations, and communicate with the public and partners to provide education on health department programs and health topics, such as nutrition and physical activity. Staff collect, monitor, and publish local health data to track health trends in the community and help prioritize issues to address. Finally, staff apply for and coordinate grant funding for interventions to improve health outcomes.
Goals:
Health promotion, prevention, and education activities are meant to:
Prevent adverse health outcomes.
Engage the community and partners in improving health.
Address health outcomes that need to be improved, often with evidence-based interventions.

In FY 17, BEDHD was awarded competitive grant funding in this amount to carry out health promotion, prevention, and education activities.

Impact:
Recent successes of BEDHD health promotion, prevention, and education staff and/or their coalitions include:
Helping Eaton Rapids Medical Center to institute adolescent depression screenings for youth patients.
Collecting and analyzing county-level health data through the 2014-16 Behavioral Risk Factor Survey.
Opening the Barry County Baby Café, where moms can come for breastfeeding support.
Educating medical providers on access to oral health care for low income, underserved populations.

In 2017, BEDHD health promotion and education staff attended 270 coalition meetings and did 35 presentations, health fairs, and related events.