MAPP in action in San Antonio, Texas.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Health Improvement
• Health Policy & Management

Background:

• San Antonio was chosen as a Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) demonstration site in 2000.
• The MAPP framework provided a structured approach for community health improvement and enhanced public-private collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate the MAPP process in San Antonio for community health improvement.
• To foster collaboration between the public health system and the community.

Main Methods:

• Formation of a Core Planning Team in 2001, expanded into the Alliance for Community Health in San Antonio and Bexar County (Alliance) by 2002.
• Identification of six strategic issues: Public Policy, Data Tracking, Healthy Lifestyles, Promoting a Sense of Community, Access to Care, and Safe Environment.
• Development of the San Antonio Community Health Improvement Plan based on identified strategic issues.

Main Results:

• Successful engagement of public health system partners and collective establishment of public health priorities.
• Initiation of numerous new public health initiatives and creation of future partnership opportunities.
• Leveraging of resources for public health improvement in San Antonio.

Conclusions:

• The MAPP process effectively facilitated community health improvement and partnership development in San Antonio.
• The initiative has the potential to drive significant positive change in the future of public health in the region.