Liz, I appreciate the effort, but it's hard to be convinced.  If there is
so much emphasis on "local" as you say (which I have not seen before in
any of the more "officially released" information about the NPHC), then
why (for example) are all the personnel resources being advertised for
Toronto as the base?  Where are the resources to enable
local/provincial/regional networks capitalize on their abilities to
support local health promotion action?  Convince me.


Joan Feather, Coordinator
Prairie Region Health Promotion Research Centre
University of Saskatchewan
Health Sciences Building
107 Wiggins Road
SASKATOON SK S7N 5E5
Canada
Phone: (306) 966-7932
Fax: (306) 966-7920
E-mail: [log in to unmask]


On Sat, 18 Apr 1998, Liz Rykert wrote:

> Hi All - it has been awhile since I have posted to Click4hp ... but wanted
> to comment on the posting from Sam -
>
> At 11:25 AM 4/18/98 -0400, Sam Lanfranco wrote:
> >While I welcome the news of a policy commitment and funding for using this
> >electronic venue for health promotion, I worry that a highly centralized
> >solution has been funded in circumstances where a very decentralized
> >(nested and linked) solution is called for.
> >
> In fact the HP Information service Sam is referring to is the National
> Population Health Clearinghouse - a working title - and it is being designed
> to build on the existing networks and organizations. At this point networks
> are being mapped locally by local groups and organizations and networks will
> discuss what they have contribute and how they would like to participate.
>
> Core policies and criteria for information is being developed so end users
> will be aware of the source and the credibility of the information.
>
>
>
>
> >Health promotion is not like wheat. One does not gather "knowledge"
> >into large silos and then try to get it the bakers. Health promotion is
> >about turning communities, organizations and individuals into learning
> >communities, organizations and individuals as they build capacity to deal
> >with their health and their impact on health. It is a particiaptory and
> >more decentralized process - calling for local wisdom and judgement, not
> >just access to remote resources.
> >
>
> I can't agree with you more Sam - the service will be using online
> searchable databases as one feature of the web based resource and the
> capacity personalize your interests and type of information. It will be
> supported by other points of access including call centres, fax back and
> other services to ensure those beyond the web interface can get at the info
> - but - it will be linking people back to their local communities, and
> groups to build on the ability to find out how you can get involved locally
> and or where the closest program or service is if that is what people are
> interested in.
>
> The intention is to work with your concepts around "nested" networks of
> networks and the service becomes the orchestrating of the "zone play" as you
> have taught me so well.
>
> There are many local examples of exciting health promotion activities and
> resources available but it is hard to know where or who or how to get at
> it...at times - not always! :-)
>
> It is the goal, as I see it, to see the NPHC grow and build over time and to
> use the technology appropriately so local information providers not only
> have a way to let others know what it is out there but give them the skills
> and capapcity to build their working knowledge about what works for their
> community in sharing out information in publicly accessible ways. It is a
> two (or more :-) way flow and relationship. New partnerships - new
> relationships - and ultimately greater access to good reliable health
> information on health promotion and population health issues whether you are
> a member of the public or a community worker or a health professional - let
> alone a policy maker or academic.
>
> It isn't an "either or" - Some local staff support is required to develop
> the systems and maintain them and to support the local partners and
> participants. But it is the local information and exisiting networks which
> will make this service a vital and lively collaboration and resource for
> Canadians.
>
> I have been working on the development of the service with many others in
> both the government and NGO sector.
>
> Cheers - Liz Rykert
>