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Allies against asthma: a midstream comment on sustainability
Amy R Friedman1, Kimberly Wicklund
1Allies Against Asthma, Center for Managing Chronic Disease at the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Health Promotion Practice
|April 26, 2006
Summary
Coalition success relies on long-term impact. Key strategies for sustaining community health initiatives include resource development, institutionalization, system change, and capacity building, with early lessons emphasizing planning and communication.
Area of Science:
- Community Health
- Public Health Policy
- Organizational Sustainability
Background:
- Coalitions are vital for community health impact.
- Sustaining coalition efforts over time is crucial for long-term success.
- Allies Against Asthma coalitions have explored various sustainability strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and analyze sustainability strategies employed by Allies Against Asthma coalitions.
- To derive lessons learned from these coalitions' sustainability efforts.
- To inform future coalition-building and sustainability planning.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of sustainability strategies used by Allies Against Asthma coalitions.
- Identification of common themes and lessons learned from coalition experiences.
- Review of coalition infrastructure, resource development, and system change efforts.
Main Results:
- Four key sustainability strategies emerged: resource development, institutionalization, system change (including policy change), and capacity building.
- Lessons learned include the importance of planning for sustainability, using data to demonstrate success, and fostering ongoing communication.
- Coalition experience and infrastructure are critical for sustained impact, though funding remains a challenge.
Conclusions:
- Sustainability must be an integral part of coalition planning.
- Effective communication, relationship building, and data-driven success are essential for long-term impact.
- Investing in coalition infrastructure is key to successfully sustaining community health outcomes and activities.