https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/learn-from-others/webinars/housing-as-a-foundation-for-good-health
Original Post:
Housing as a Foundation for Good Health
One of the three important facts that I learned from the “Housing as a Foundation for Good Health” webinar is that there are two main goals placed when county health rankings and roadmaps were created. First, they wanted to improve health outcomes: how long people live and how healthy they are. Secondly, it is designed to increase health equity to “close the health gap between those with most and least opportunities to good health.” I think these are important because a house is a foundation where you can find a safe haven and protection from any elements, either nature or people. This is based precisely on the area you live. This is why I think more affordable homes should be built near or at a place where fewer violent crimes and theft are happening.
The second important fact that I learned from this webinar is for housing to be a foundation for good health, it should not just be structurally sound. Several other factors play that determines a house as a foundation for good health. First, it has to be affordable. Rents have to be in line with the person’s income, and there has to be a way to balance the two. Second, a house is also desirable when it is close to great neighborhoods with great schools around it, especially for families raising small kids because better education always leads to a better future. Lastly, the issue of homelessness and poverty should not be overlooked, and more should be done by providing “client-centered practice … as it provides individuals with strategies that are useful within their contexts” (Synovec, 2020).
The third and last important fact that I learned from this webinar is that communities in the nation are addressing the shortfall in healthy, affordable housing by “developing dedicated affordable healthy housing unit, protecting against displacement and improving housing quality, and improving neighborhood conditions” amongst other things (“Housing as a Foundation for Good Health”). I think these are significant steps in overcoming the social determinants of health and creating a more inclusive community that is free from racial injustice and gender inequity.
Here in Santa Clara County, where I live, health promotion and risk reduction exist via television, print media, and social media. I would like to talk more about social media because today’s generation is attuned to using it. Although social media still has a lot of work to do to combat health misinformation, especially with this pandemic, I think that social media by reputable local government agencies are valuable resources to use at this time. On Instagram, for example, our county introduces the “Get Vaccinated at Night” movement, which encourages people to get vaccinated in their free time, possibly after work if they work a nine to five schedule (Santa Clara County Public Health). They also offer free COVID testing at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, conveniently accessible via public transportation to those who may not have reliable transportation. Lastly, health promotions regarding the reintroduction of masks on indoor places are being distributed through social media to let the community know of ways they can protect themselves from the virus regardless of their vaccination status.