Public health management strategies and implementation

Health Manager

A public health issue of importance in Redwood City, California is obesity. As of 2010, 37.4% of Redwood City residents were classified as being overweight or obese (Babey, et al., 2012). Because obesity is associated with a number of illnesses that can be prevented simply by reducing the obesity rate, it is important from a social ethical, and financial reason to help improve health outcomes for Redwood City. With about 75,000 people, Redwood City already has a wealth of resources and organizations in place that can work together to prevent obesity, help residents lose weight, and improve overall health outcomes for the community. The local and state health departments can also play a role.

The first tier of organizations that should be involved in a coalition includes all hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare organizations including private practices. Health care organizations can participate on every level of a public health campaign. For example, public relations and outreach must be done through these organizations. Healthcare organizations provide the direct services, interventions, and human resources needed to combat the problem of obesity.

Second, the community needs to work with local schools and community centers in helping to raise awareness and educate residents. Because one of the target populations is children, it is important to propose new programs for physical activity at schools and community centers. These programs need to be supplemented by concerted efforts to make parks and recreation services safer, more accessible, and more affordable for all Redwood City residents.

Finally, the city council needs to partner with real estate developers and the private sector to make the community a healthier place. Redwood City already has a wealth of activities that parents, students, and all residents can participate in, but the city can do more to encourage walking and bicycle riding, while discouraging dependence on cars and a sedentary lifestyle.

2. An ideal public health manager is someone who is aware of the fundamental purpose of public health management, who understands the structure of public health organizations, and who is prepared to serve in a leadership role. Public health management involves a lot of research and data analysis, but it also entails public relations and communications. A public health manager is also responsible for coordinating multiple parties and stakeholders, and managing resources in skillful ways. Public health managers also need to understand the demographics of their community, and always be sensitive to diversity.

Public health managers ideally use creative thinking skills to come up with unique programs that are relevant for the community, and which can also be measured for their effectiveness. The programs also need to be rooted in evidence-based practices, which entails working with a team of researchers who can provide proposals based on peer-reviewed studies. Programs should be culturally sensitive, which is why public health managers need to be willing and able to listen to people whose backgrounds and experiences differ from their own.