Public Health
Working to strengthen the public health system and advance public health strategies to reduce the causes and burden of preventable disease and disability in Oregon and southwest Washington.
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Public health programs work. They're designed to protect us and improve our health and well-being. But when the benefits of public health are not fully understood, the result is inadequate public investment in proven prevention strategies and the infrastructure to implement them.
The Foundation’s approach to public health is based in the fundamental principle that
a robust public health system is a vital component of a healthy community. The Northwest Health Foundation supports efforts to drive improvements in the public health system, with a particular focus on building and mobilizing an advocacy network.
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In 2008 the Foundation will support efforts that address public health through physical activity and nutrition promotion and community-based participatory research.
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Profile: Community Health Priorities
If it seems obvious that public health initiatives should focus on the health issues most important to the public, then you already understand the motivation behind our effort. We've launched a large-scale project to ask the people of Oregon: In addition to affordable health care, what public health programs would most benefit the health of your family and the community you live in? We are working to gather the responses, pair them with real data, and develop policy statements and recommendations that can be put into action to bring healthful living home.
Community Health Priorities is an effort to learn what public health issues Oregonians care most about, develop a comprehensive knowledge bank to help guide policy-makers, and inspire each of us to take concrete steps towards improving the health of our families and communities.
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Resources & Links
- American Public Health Association
- Coalition of Local Health Officials
- Oregon Public Health Division
- Oregon Health Policy Commission
- Public Health Leadership Society
Please contact David Rebanal for more information.