Health Promotion Plan

The planning process should begin by identifying the problem. In other words, what is the issue and what effect is it having on the community?

Ask these types of questions:

What’s wrong?

What can be done about it?

• Are there treatments or interventions available?
• Is it preventable?
• Who is most affected?
• Are there disparities or inequities?
• What are some underlying factors and root causes that must be considered and addressed?
• Is the problem specific to a geographic area, age, culture, or other demographic?
• What are the consequences if the problem is not addressed?
• Who can you partner with to ensure the plan addresses the problem in a community-appropriate way (i.e., community-based agencies, community groups, health institutions, academic institutions, business community)
• Who in the community is already working on this problem?
• Define the At-Risk Population
• Once the problem is identified, you should figure out who is at risk and why.

Ask these types of questions:

Where do they live?

What are the values, attitudes, beliefs, customs, and current behaviors that impact the problem (both positively and negatively)?

What is their level of awareness of the problem?

What are their values, attitudes, beliefs, habits, and current behaviors?

• How and where do they get their health information?
• What barriers to making the desired change do this population face?
• How can we get members of this population involved in the process? Who are the change leaders in that community?
• Collect Data
• Once the problem and at-risk population have been identified, the next step is to learn as much as possible about the problem. Be sure to collect data and other information from a variety of reliable sources.
• Reliable sources include:
• Government agencies (federal, state, and local)

Health statistic portals (government and non-government)

Hospital community health assessments 

Community partners, community groups, and community members interested in participating in the planning, implementation. and evaluation process