The Health of a Community
By: Jennifer Bews
It’s been a polarizing and isolating few years. The health of our communities requires programs and policies that emphasize the importance of social support, social inclusion, and relational dynamics (Ardiles et al., 2014). It’s critical that we come together to remind ourselves and one another that we are all here for one another no matter the circumstance or systems that separate us.
All too often the status of our health is limited to whether we have acute, episodic illnesses, but many scholars will argue that our health stems out further than that. Our health intersects with social determinants that have an impact on our well-being that include factors such as age, gender, income, occupation, environment, social status and more (Jackson, 2012). The social and cultural structures in which we experience things can have a direct effect on our mental and physical health. For instance, do the communities we live in have group fitness activities available for all levels of income? Are we inclusive to new people to town? Do the women have as many opportunities as the men for sports and recreation? Who are the most vulnerable in our area and are their needs being met? How can we involve them in current projects and events?
Many things go on hold during a public health crisis and it’s important we shift our focus and creativity to ensure an inclusive, empowered community. The side effects could result in thriving, healthy individuals.
References
Ardiles, P., GermAnn, K. & Mawani, F.. (2014). Illuminating Gender-Transformative Mental Health Promotion in the Workplace. In L. Greaves, A. Pederson & N. Poole (Eds.), Making It Better (pp. 166-177). Canadian Scholars’ Press Inc. / Women’s Press.
Jackson, B. (2012) Theory and Methods for Thinking Women. In P. Armstrong, B. Clow, K. Grant, M. Hawaorth-Brockman, B. Jackson, A. Pederson, & M. Seeley (Eds.), Thinking Women and Health Care Reform in Canada (pp. 15-36). Women’s Press.