Healthy people build healthy communities.

Or are they healthy communities that build healthy people?

In my experience, healthy people are one aspect of community and business development that is often overlooked. This leaves the problems and frustrations to the health professionals, who are so overworked in smaller communities that they become reactive, not proactive. The solution lies in having the business and non-profit organisations work together to solve the health, social, and business problems experienced.

Chronic disease is one of the most significant health problems facing communities, indeed the world. Building healthy communities is a continuum that includes physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease. Hence, participation in social and community life benefits an individual’s overall health, well-being, and survival.

Yes, there is a lot of stress on businesses and non-profits in our regional, rural, and remote communities. The question is, are healthy people who build healthy businesses, or do healthy businesses build healthy people? It is hoped that community leaders will consider the health of their community and its people as an important way of helping the community grow and prosper while meeting people’s aspirations.

Planning and building healthy people and communities

In planning and building healthy people and communities, you need to explore how the various community environments impact, either positively or negatively, the potential to contract chronic diseases such as:

• Diabetes.
• Asthma and various respiratory conditions.
• Heart conditions.
• Stroke.
• Lung disease.
• Various Cancers.
• Arthritis and other muscular/skeletal diseases.
• Mental illness, depression and the so-called “Lifestyle diseases”.

Health problems plague every community and require constant attention over many years. Fortunately, however, many can be controlled and even prevented with reasonable health management programs. The compassionate actions of its members can measure the greatness of any community. Keep in mind, there are different strokes for different folks.

You can resolve concerns about future difficulties with an ongoing support program and change the conversations in the community. Particularly in times of drought, burnout is the one to watch.

Ongoing support will be essential to avoid slipping into the old ways that caused the problems.  Repairing any psychological damage people may have suffered should be an integral part of any recovery program.

Quotable Quotes

“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about”. Margaret Wheatley

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”.  Mother Teresa