Our Approach

Historically, health programs have focused on individual behavior, assuming that if you teach people what will make them healthy, they will find a way to do it. Unfortunately, being healthy is about much more than our individual choices. Where you live matters! Fifty percent of our health outcomes are impacted by factors other than our behavior.

 

Our Approach

Since its inception, The Health Collaborative has understood that in  order to improve community health, we need to address the root causes of poor health and health inequities through changes in policies, systems, and environments (PSE). Over the years, we have come to realize that developing and implementing effective PSE changes also requires authentic community engagement,  strong civic participation and infrastructure, and intentional collaboration. These elements of leadership and capacity building might not seem directly connected to health, but they are essential for ensuring that everyone's voices are heard and included in decision-making processes that affect their families, their communities, and their health.

 

Our Vision

We believe that everyone in the Dan River Region should have everything they need to thrive where they live. 

We envision a region that supports:

Creating Impact

No one person, group, or organization can do this alone. To achieve this vision, everyone will have to do their part. The Health Collaborative does not operate programs, allocate resources, or do direct service, but we can create impact by learning together, activating leaders, and building capacity.

We do this by:

1. Helping organizations, institutions, and local governments embrace and implement PSE change strategies that align with our shared values and goals.

2. Helping individuals advocate for themselves and their communities.

3. Creating opportunities for both group to come together to collaborate towards health for all people in the Dan River Region.

 

Our Theory of Change