Hi Lilley,
The Saskatchewan Public Health Association faced exactly your dilemma - how
to educate the general public about health determinants.  Our solution was
for our small Social Justice and Equity Committee to brainstorm some of the
key issues and then contract with a well-known (now former) newpaper writer
who had shown an interest in the area, and to link her up with some
community groups who could, through their stories, illustrate the points we
wanted to make.  So, it became a series of newspaper-ready short articles
(six, I think) about the good work and transformative experiences people
were having working in community projects, such as housing or building
social support.  These articles would be available through the SPHA -
president is Joan Riemer, who works at the Regina Public Health Unit.  Good
luck!

> ----------
> From:         Susan Lilley[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To:     Health Promotion on the Internet
> Sent:         Thursday, January 18, 2001 6:18 AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      population health for community volunteers
>
> I've been asked to write an article or a series of articles on population
> health / health promotion for a newsletter aimed at rural volunteer
> organizations such as seniors groups, family resource centres, community
> health boards, friendly visiting groups, women's auxiliaries and caregiver
> support groups...
>
> The purpose is to encourage these groups to take action on community
> health issues (which my sense is most already are).
>
> My sense is that we should not impose our jargon on these groups.  They
> don't need to know what we mean when we use the words "population health"
> or "determinants of health."  So what do they need to know?  How can we
> best use this opportunity to move the cause of health promotion ahead in a
> way that would be helpful to this population?
>
> As I begin to think about how best to move ahead on this I would
> appreciate any thoughts from others who have given this some thought, and
> to see other articles aimed at similar populations.
>
> As always, thanks for your help. I will try to contribute whatever comes
> out of this back to the list if appropriate.
>
> Regards
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ----
> Susan Lilley
> [log in to unmask]
> Looking for information on health promotion?
> Visit the Community Health Promotion Network Atlantic "Sharinghouse" at
> http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/CommunitySupport/CHPNA/
>