Boosting Community Health Through Behavioral Change and Self-Empowerment

The report highlights the importance of community-based health promotion in preventing and controlling coronary disease, which affects individuals aged 40-60. Two behavioral models are discussed: the behavioral model, which is cost-effective and develops a sense of healthy lifestyle within an individual; and the self-empowerment model, which focuses on developing personal identity and self-worth to promote good health. The report also touches upon the challenges faced by these models, including difficulty in implementing behavior change and time consumption. Overall, the importance of introducing healthy lifestyles to people effectively is emphasized, with community-based interventions playing a crucial role in spreading awareness.

COMMUNITY HEALTH AND DISEASE
PREVENTION
1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction................................................................................................................................1
Part 1 Preventable health concern related to Coronary heart disease........................................1
Three strategies for Coronary heart disease as per Laverack’s ladder...................................1
Part 2 Community empowerment and ownership of a prevention from Coronary heart disease
....................................................................................................................................................3
Part 3 Health promotion models for Coronary heart disease.....................................................4
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................6
References..................................................................................................................................1
1

Introduction
This report contains all the relevant aspects of development of program for spreading
awareness about coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease is developed by the raising of
plaque which is a substance found in the coronary arteries. In this report several domains
have been studies through which suitable community program can be developed. Several
strategies have been developed through which effectiveness level can be raised of the
program. It is very essential to spread the awareness regarding the coronary heart disease
with the help of health promoters. Community empowerment can be developed through
effective communication and awareness about the coronary heart disease can be spread.
Part 1 Preventable health concern related to Coronary heart disease
Heart diseases can be easily examined in people from age group to 40 to 60 because
this if the age group where people have to face a huge amount of stress. The lifestyle is not
healthy enough to prevent the situations of heart diseases. It directly affects the heart
structure and functioning of the heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in US and
most of the deaths occurring during to coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease is also
known as artery disease and it one of the most common types of ischemic heart disease.
Coronary heart disease is developed by the raising of plaque which is a substance found in
the coronary arteries. The flow of the blood is blocked in the large arteries of the heart. At
times people are unaware about the disease and they tend to die or get caught by serious
conditions in their life phase. This disease does not have any symptoms so every individual
must get their body examined from time to time and get treated if there is any issue
(Laverack, & Pratley, 2018).
Three strategies for Coronary heart disease as per Laverack’s ladder
Community based health promotion requires immense support of various people
associated with the program so that high amount of awareness can be spread. Spreading
awareness amongst many people at the same is a challenging task due to which the main
motive of the program cannot be easily conveyed to the public. Heart disease is the leading
cause of death in US and most of the deaths occurring during to coronary heart disease and it
has become very important to discuss about the conditions of the coronary heart disease to
the community (McPhail.et.al.2014). Several strategies are developed through which
1

effective interaction and engagement can be made with the community. The following three
strategies are:
 Increase health promoters
According to Laverack health promoters are rapidly increasing and they are
voluntarily participating in various programs which are developed for spreading
awareness in the public regarding the coronary health disease. The health promoters
will be required to have the competency of empowering people by leaving a huge
influence of the community regarding the determinants of their health. It is very
essential to spread the awareness regarding the coronary heart disease with the help of
health promoters because people might take the words by the health promoters very
seriously. The health promoters will be able to communicate effectively with the
community so that a nice impact can be developed amongst the mindset of the people.
 Public participation
Involving public in the program for spreading awareness will be a nice option because
people will be able to easily relate to the problems and outcomes of the disease. If
people are able to relate then they will be able to explain about the disease properly.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in US and most of the deaths occurring
during to coronary heart disease so it becomes very important to spread awareness
regarding the problems so that people can lead towards healthy and disease free
lifestyle. People will be able to understand the root cause behind the disease if they
experience it personally (Kral & Kidd, 2018).
 Disease modules
A small module can be provided to the public within the program so that they are able
to know about the disease. The module will contain all the necessary elements of the
coronary heart disease, its precautions and the diet which needs to be consumed
during this disease should be discussed. The root cause of the disease will be
mentioned in the module so that people can easily understand and explain it to other
people later. It has become very important to describe about the disease to the people
so that they can take good care of themselves.
2

Part 2 Community empowerment and ownership of a prevention from
Coronary heart disease
There are several factors which combine together for the success of the program which is
being established for spreading awareness of the program. The prevention program is
established so that the main reason behind the coronary heart disease can be explained to
them so that they are able to take suitable precautions. If the functioning of the program will
be conducted in a suitable manner then high amount of success rate can be generated. Few
domains used for achieving community empowerment are:
 Community participation in researching goals
The community should be involved in researching the goals so that all the issues and
doubts can be included in the goals. It is very important to set the goals and objectives
of the program so that a direction can be set for developing the plan. All the planning
will be done accordingly so that effectiveness level can be enhanced. The main
purpose of the program should be identified so that public can be aware about the
program and they can come up with various suggestions. If the community will be
included in the setting of goals then better communication can be developed
(Guetzkow, 2018).
 Commitment
The people associated with the team developing the program should be committed so
that high amount of efficiency can be achieved so that all the core activities of the
program can be conducted properly. If the team members of the program will not be
dedicated then the set goals could not be achieved effectively. It is very important to
achieve the set goals of the awareness program so that the coronary heart disease can
be explained in detail to the community. This program will help in improvising the
lifestyle of many people so that they are able to safeguard their life from such serious
diseases.
 Community understanding of the issues
The community should be made aware about the issues which are taking place in the
surrounding so that effective measures can be taken. If the community is unaware
about the issues and problems then they will not be able to effectively participate in
the program. Coronary heart disease does not have any symptoms so every individual
must get their body examined from time to time and get treated if there is any issue.
All the elements of the disease will be explained in the program so that people are
3

able to easily communicate with the members of the program regarding the disease.
People from age group of 40 to 60 will be targeted so that they are able to lead a
healthy life style (The, S. C. O. 2015).
 Effectiveness in communication
Community empowerment can be developed through effective communication only.
All the agendas and criteria of the awareness program will be delivered to the public
with the help of effective communication. If the ideas and agendas are not
communicated effectively then there could be a situation of personal grudges and
effective communication could not be experienced. Suitable communication channels
should be established so that high amount of motives can be communicated. If the
functioning of the program will be conducted in a well communicated manner then all
the problems can be resolved automatically (Greyson & Johnson, 2016).
 Conflict management
When the program is established on a very large level then there are high chances that
the conflict conditions might take place. If the conflicts are managed effectively then
all the goals and objectives of the program can be achieved effectively. If the conflicts
are not handled effectively then the disturbance amongst the team members can be
observed. The functioning of the program will be continued with the motive of
community empowerment only if the conflicts are managed effectively. If there are
conflicts taking place then the functioning of the program will be affected and high
level of satisfactory results will not be achieved.
 Managing relations
The management of relations amongst the team should be high so that disturbance
cannot be observed in the functioning. The relations amongst the team members
should be managed properly so that all the doubts can be handled and effective
functioning can be formulated (Gerrity, 2016).
Part 3 Health promotion models for Coronary heart disease
Good health and awareness about the coronary health disease can be spread through
health promotion models. Health promotion is very important step taken by the health
concern programs so that awareness about the diseases can be taught to the public. Some of
the health promotion model and approaches are:
 Behavioral change model
4

The behavioral change model is a preventive approach which would majorly focus on
the impact of lifestyle on the health of the people. This model promotes the individual
to adopt healthier lifestyle so that they are able to sustain a healthy living. This
promotes the medical view of health so that people are able to understand the
importance of good health. Through this model the coronary disease can be
introduced effectively and the root cause of the problem can be explained in detail.
This model will help in changing the belief of the public regarding the healthy
lifestyle (World Health Organization, 2013). Behavioral change model will boost the
community to introduce the healthier side of the life.
Advantages
 The cost of behavioral model is comparatively low as compared to any other model.
This model helps in developing the sense of healthy lifestyle from within the
individual.
 This model is based on the real behavior of the individual so that more efforts are not
required in developing the resources (Clark, & Walker, 2018).
Disadvantages
 It becomes difficult to develop a behavioral change in the individual due to which the
functioning of the health program can be affected.
 This model is time consuming because behavior change cannot be implemented
overnight.
 Self-empowerment model
This approach pushes the individual’s ability to control their own health. Until some
is willing to look after their health till then nothing can work on them. It is very
crucial to develop the self-motivation so that every individual is able to promote good
health in their own life. Good health is the luxury which should be owned by every
individual. This model focuses on developing the individual’s sense of personal
identity and self-worth. The life skills can be effectively taught through this model so
that high amount effective lifestyle can be sustained. Coronary disease is a heart
disease which would require high amount of diet food and healthy lifestyle to cure it
and prevent it. If any individual is unable to lead a healthy lifestyle then coronary
disease cannot be prevented (Sommerfeld & Zhou, 2014). Public can be made aware
5

about the self-empowerment model so that they are develop the sense of good
lifestyle on their own.
Advantages
 Self-empowerment is the skills which can raise the motivation for developing a
healthy lifestyle and no other factor can ruin the dedication towards the healthy life.
Disadvantages
 This model is time consuming as self-empowerment takes time to develop and it is
long process (Burwell, 2015).
Conclusion
The importance of healthy lifestyle should be introduced to the people effectively. In
this report the coronary disease has been explained and several aspects of developing an
awareness program. Community based health promotion requires immense support of various
people associated with the program so that high amount of awareness can be spread. The age
group which has been considered for the coronary disease is 40 to 60. This disease does not
have any symptoms so every individual must get their body examined from time to time and
get treated if there is any issue. It had become relay important to develop a healthier life style
so that sustainable life can be lead.
6

References
Burwell, S. M. (2015). Setting value-based payment goals—HHS efforts to improve US
health care. N Engl J Med, 372(10), 897-899.
Clark, R. I., & Walker, D. W. (2018). Role of gut microbiota in aging-related health decline:
insights from invertebrate models. Cellular and molecular life sciences, 75(1), 93-
101.
Gerrity, M. (2016). Evolving models of behavioral health integration: Evidence update 2010–
2015. New York, NY: Milbank Memorial Fund.
Greyson, D. L., & Johnson, J. L. (2016). The role of information in health behavior: A
scoping study and discussion of major public health models. Journal of the
Association for Information Science and Technology, 67(12), 2831-2841.
Guetzkow, J. (2018). 12. Arts, community empowerment and cultural security: a critical
assessment of. Handbook of Cultural Security, 227.
Kral, M. J., & Kidd, S. (2018). Community-Based Participatory Research and Community
Empowerment for Suicide Prevention. In A Positive Psychological Approach to
Suicide (pp. 285-299). Springer, Cham.
Laverack, G., & Pratley, P. (2018). What quantitative and qualitative methods have been
developed to measure community empowerment at a national level?. WHO Regional
Office for Europe, Copenhagen.
McPhail-Bell, K., Fredericks, B., & Brough, M. (2013). Beyond the accolades: a postcolonial
critique of the foundations of the Ottawa Charter.Global health promotion, 20(2),
22-29.
The, S. C. O. T. (2015). CT coronary angiography in patients with suspected angina due to
coronary heart disease (SCOT-HEART): an open-label, parallel-group, multicentre
trial. The Lancet, 385(9985), 2383-2391.
Online
1

Sommerfeld, J. & Zhou, X. (2014) Community-based interventions for the prevention and
control of infectious diseases of poverty BMC research notes [Accessed through]
[Online]. <http://www.idpjournal.com/SERIES/CBI> [Accessed on 23/03/2019]
World Health Organization WHO, chronic diseases and health promotion, (2013) [Accessed
through] [Online]. <http://www.who.int/chp/en/> [Accessed on 23/03/2019]
2