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The action approach. Integrating a community's needs into the corporate planning process
Health Progress (Saint Louis, Mo.)
|June 8, 1991
Summary
Mercy Hospitals and Health Services of Detroit (MHHSD) identified community needs through a needs assessment. They then launched the East Side Initiative to address healthcare, education, and social support gaps.
Area of Science:
- Community Health
- Public Health Policy
- Social Determinants of Health
Background:
- Detroit faces significant community needs, particularly in impoverished areas.
- Mercy Hospitals and Health Services of Detroit (MHHSD) recognized the need to integrate community needs into corporate planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and address the unmet needs of impoverished communities in Detroit.
- To develop a collaborative community planning effort to tackle social and health issues.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a Community Assessment of Human Needs to identify specific needs.
- Formed the East Side Initiative, a community planning effort involving an advisory group.
- Facilitated group discussions focusing on healthcare, crime prevention, substance abuse, education, housing, economic development, and family support.
Main Results:
- Identified key unmet needs within three of Michigan's most impoverished areas.
- Developed proposed action plans for various community needs, which received approval.
- Initiated a collaborative planning process involving community stakeholders.
Conclusions:
- The East Side Initiative successfully outlined actionable plans to address identified community needs.
- The next phase involves securing resources for the implementation of these approved action plans.
- Community-centered planning is crucial for addressing complex social and health challenges.