Community Change in Public Health from Coursera

In bringing about behavior change in public health, we often focus on the individual mother, student, or farmer. We should not forget the community structure and norms constrain for encouraging individual health behaviors. This course examines the community context of the changes needed to promote the public’s health. We begin by examining the various definitions of ‘community’ and the processes by which we ‘diagnose’ or seek to understand the structure and characteristics of different types of communities.

An appreciation of community similarities and differences is necessary lest we fall into the trap of designing one-size-fits-all interventions. We need to recognize that no matter that outsiders may view a community as poor or neglected, we can find strengths and capacities for improvement in each community. Identifying community capacities and resources is the first step in facilitating community change. Different practical and philosophical approaches to change and therefore, examined. Specific to the change process is our recognition of the need for communities to participate in the design, implementation and evaluation of any intervention.

We examine the concept of participation in an effort to see how different levels of involvement may affect sustainability of community change efforts. Finally a case study of a community participatory approach to onchocerciasis control in Africa is presented. Community Directed Intervention has subsequently been successfully applied to providing other essential primary health care services by and in the community, such as insecticide treated bednets, malaria treatment, vitamin A distribution, deworming medicines, and pneumonia and diarrhea case management.

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1

This week, we'll get oriented to the course, learn about the ecological model, and learn how to classify communities on the basis of identity, linkages, group orientation, and integration.

Module 2

Welcome to Week 2 of Community Change in Public Health. This week's lectures will focus on Community Efficacy and Community Change Models. Learning these concepts will help you gain a deeper understanding of the forces at work within communities and how they can be harnessed to affect positive change.

Module 3

Welcome to Module 3. This week, we'll take a look at the political economy framework as well as the concepts of community participation and involvement levels. You'll also complete your first peer review assignment this week by reading a case study and using what you've learned to describe community change.

Module 4

This week, we'll look at community coalitions, contrasting community-based and community-directed programs, and the results of enhancing community-directed treatment.

Module 5

In this final week, we'll learn about the Community-Directed Intervention (CDI) process, an expansion beyond the Community-Directed Treatment process used with Ivermectin. Finally, you will complete your second peer-review assignment in which you'll describe a community from a case study and also describe two possible interventions to sustain the change that is already underway.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the community context of changes needed to promote public health

Examines the various definitions of ‘community’ and processes to understand their structure and characteristics

Emphasizes recognizing community strengths and capacities for improvement

Outlines different approaches to change, fostering an understanding of the need for adaptability

Highlights the importance of community participation and different involvement levels for sustainability

Presents a case study of a community participatory approach to onchocerciasis control in Africa for practical insights

Reviews summary

Public health change

According to students, public health learners say this engaging course gives them knowledge they can apply to real world situations, especially for those in public health who wish to start positive health changes in communities. Learners remark that the assessments are monotonous and focused on definitions that fail to provide practical tools for change. Despite the negatives, they do recommend the course.

Helpful content

"Have finished first section of this course and it adds more and sounds informative."

"For all public health related practices, is better to have the knowledge from this course."

Practical lessons

"Very interesting material with an assignment designed to apply your knowledge to real world situations."

"I came away feeling like I have a better idea on how to assess a community to help start positive health changes."

Lack practical focus

"The course focuses on defining communities and types of change, which it does very well."

"However, be aware that it does not cover how to create this change, except with the most cursory of references."

"I found the assessments (which require you to define various parts of a community and change processes) monotonous, especially as you must complete the same assessment questions twice."

"Finally, I was disappointed that the course focuses on a handful of stereotypical communities and change programs (e.g. HIV, malaria, and clean water in Africa). It is difficult to relate the material to other community contexts, such as Western or developed ones."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Community Change in Public Health with these activities:

Review ecological models

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Learn the basics of ecological models to understand how communities interact and function, which will help you better understand the course material.

Browse courses on Community Ecology

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Read about different ecological models, such as the community food web and the predator-prey model.
Identify the key components and interactions in each model.
Consider how these models can be applied to real-world community interactions.

Volunteer with a community development organization

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Working with an organization will give you practical experience that will enhance your learning.

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Find a community development organization that you are interested in working with.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Commit to a regular volunteer schedule.
Participate in a variety of activities and learn from the staff and other volunteers.

Join a study group or discussion forum on community development

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Collaborative learning can strengthen your understanding and enhance your own thinking on the subject.

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Find a study group or discussion forum that is focused on community development.
Introduce yourself and share your interests in community development.
Participate in discussions and share your own insights and experiences.
Learn from other group members and expand your knowledge of community development.

Seven other activities

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Learn the basics of community development by following tutorials

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Starting by following guided tutorials is a good way to build up your knowledge and comfort level in working with communities.

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Find online tutorials on community development or related topics.
Follow along with the tutorials, completing any exercises or activities.
Take notes on the key concepts and ideas you learn.

Develop a community profile

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Gain hands-on experience in understanding community structures and characteristics by creating a comprehensive profile of a specific community.

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Gather data from various sources, such as interviews, surveys, and observations.
Analyze the data to identify key characteristics and trends.
Write a report that summarizes your findings and provides insights into the community.

Assemble a resource guide on community development

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Compiling your own reference material will ensure that you have a valuable resource to refer to in the future.

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Gather resources from a variety of sources, such as books, articles, websites, and videos.
Organize your resources into a coherent and user-friendly format.
Share your resource guide with others who are interested in community development.

Develop a community development plan

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Working on a community development plan will put the concepts you are learning into practice in a meaningful way.

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Identify a community that you would like to work with.
Conduct a needs assessment to identify the community's needs and priorities.
Develop a plan that outlines your goals, objectives, and strategies for meeting the community's needs.
Implement your plan and evaluate its effectiveness.

Share your knowledge by writing a blog post or article on community development

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Teaching others about community development will enhance your understanding of your own knowledge on the subject.

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Choose a topic that you are knowledgeable about and that you think would be of interest to others.
Research your topic and gather information from credible sources.
Write a well-organized and informative blog post or article.
Share your blog post or article with others and promote it through social media.

Participate in community-based projects

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Gain real-world experience in community change by actively participating in projects that address pressing issues.

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Identify community-based organizations that align with your interests.
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend volunteer training sessions and familiarize yourself with the project goals.
Engage in meaningful activities that contribute to the community's well-being.

Design a community intervention plan

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Demonstrate your understanding of community change principles by developing a comprehensive intervention plan that addresses a specific community issue.

Browse courses on Community-Based Interventions

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Conduct a community assessment to identify needs and prioritize issues.
Develop intervention goals and objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Design intervention activities that are evidence-based and culturally appropriate.
Develop a plan for monitoring and evaluating the intervention's effectiveness.

Career center

Learners who complete Community Change in Public Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Community Health Educator

Community Health Educators work to improve the health of communities by providing education and resources on health topics. They also work to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the different factors that affect community health and how to develop effective interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Health Educator

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes and distribution of disease in populations. They also develop and implement strategies to prevent and control disease outbreaks. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the social and environmental factors that affect health and how to develop effective public health interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Social Worker

Social Workers help people to cope with personal and social problems. They also work to improve the social conditions that affect people's lives. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the social factors that affect health and how to develop effective interventions to address these factors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Public Health Physician

Public Health Physicians work to improve the health of communities by providing preventive and primary care services. They also work to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the social and environmental factors that affect health and how to develop effective public health interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Physician

Health Promotion Specialist

Health Promotion Specialists work to improve the health of communities by promoting healthy behaviors and lifestyles. They also work to develop and implement health promotion programs. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the different factors that affect community health and how to develop effective health promotion interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Promotion Specialist

Water and Sanitation Specialist

Water and Sanitation Specialists work to improve the water and sanitation conditions in communities. They also work to promote hygiene and sanitation practices. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the social and environmental factors that affect water and sanitation and how to develop effective interventions to improve these conditions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Water and Sanitation Specialist

Medical Anthropologist

Medical Anthropologists study the social and cultural factors that affect health and illness. They also work to develop and implement culturally appropriate health care interventions. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the different cultural factors that affect health and how to develop effective health care interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Anthropologist

Urban Planner

Urban Planners work to design and improve cities and towns. They also work to promote sustainable development. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the social and environmental factors that affect community health and how to develop effective urban planning interventions.

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Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses work to improve the health of communities by providing preventive and primary care services. They also work to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the social and environmental factors that affect health and how to develop effective public health interventions.

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Community Organizer

Community Organizers work to build and empower communities by bringing people together to address common issues. They also work to develop and implement community-based solutions to social problems. The course Community Change in Public Health may be useful in understanding the different approaches to community change and how to effectively engage with community members.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts research and analyze health care policies. They also make recommendations to policymakers on how to improve the health care system. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the political and economic factors that affect health care policy.

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Public Health Nutritionist

Public Health Nutritionists work to improve the nutrition of communities by providing education and resources on nutrition topics. They also work to promote healthy eating behaviors and lifestyles. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the different factors that affect community nutrition and how to develop effective nutrition interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nutritionist

Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research on a variety of topics, including public health. They use their research findings to develop new interventions and policies to improve health. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the research process and how to conduct effective public health research.

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International Development Specialist

International Development Specialists work to improve the lives of people in developing countries by providing technical assistance and resources. They also work to promote sustainable development. The course Community Change in Public Health may help build a foundation for understanding the challenges facing developing countries and how to develop effective development interventions.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Development Specialist

City Manager

As a City Manager, you will be responsible for directing and coordinating the activities of a city government. This includes developing and implementing policies, managing the city budget, and providing leadership to city staff. The course Community Change in Public Health may be useful in understanding the community needs and how to best serve them.

See salaries and explore the career path for City Manager