MUNICIPAL PUBLIC HEALTH PLAN

Municipal Public Health Plan



Municipal Public Health Plan

Introduction

In the 21st century, globalization processes influence both society and the environment. Cities became very populous and consumption increased sufficiently. This creates threats to sustainability and health of the population. If these issues are not being treated appropriately, there is a big risk of worsening of this situation. (Spence 2001)

In order to address these processes, World Health Organization (WHO) organized the World Health Movement. Within this initiative, more than two thousand [2,000] cities created their own public health plans. These documents have the name of Municipal Public Health Plans (MPHPs). A MPHP is a strategic plan that integrates all matters that concern public health planning by setting mission, goals and priorities to promote municipal health and well-being. These plans are developed on the basis of well-proven methodology and tools to deal with current and potential health issues that may face community or any its member in the urbanized environment. (Williams 1992)

Nowadays, MPHPs became an integral part of strategic planning process of local governments. What is more, there is an MPHP network that provides a platform for planning processes at different levels - from government to local communities. (Wills 1995)

According to this approach, all principles and methodologies are organized and explained in the Municipal Public Health Planning Framework document. The document consists of part A, that presents the framework itself, and part B, that offers a practical guide to planning. (Bagley 2008)

Part A, has three sections, including introduction, overview, and a chapter dedicated to the systems approach to municipal public health planning. The introduction provides general information about the framework. In particular, it includes explanation of health planning role, health planning concepts and best practice municipal planning. Health planning concepts inform about the following approaches to public health planning including strategic local area planning that promotes a model for integrating planning of different aspects of the environment; the social model of health that explains how social factors such as sense of community and participation contribute to individual and community prosperity; health-promoting systems that explain how to use strong relationship between people and place of their inhabitancy to support health and well-being of the community members; focusing on health outcomes that informs how to identify key issues and areas where priorities should be set in public health planning; and participation and partnership approaches which explain how to empower health planning to all members participating on the basis of partnership and pursuing mutual goals of common healthy environment. Therefore, the framework emphasizes that these concepts should be viewed and used taking into consideration equality of opportunities for all community members regardless of their gender, race, age, or other differences like cultural background. (Williams 1992)

The introduction section is finalized with the best practice municipal planning subchapter that emphasizes the role of local governments in this process by creating a vision and goals, promoting integrated planning, participation and community development, promoting and advocacy for local needs, and establishing structures for corporate cooperation and facilitating ...