forces of change - brainstorming worksheet

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Forces of Change Brainstorming Worksheet

Clay County Health Department

January 2012

Forces of Change are trends, events, and factors that affect the local public health system or community.

Trends are patterns over time, such as migration in and out of a community or a growing disillusionment with government.

Factors are discrete elements, such as a communitys large ethnic population, an urban setting, or a jurisdictions proximity to a major

waterway.

Events are one-time occurrences, such as a hospital closure, a natural disaster or the passage of legislation.

Consider the following questions - What is occurring or might occur that affects the health of our community or the local public health system?

What specific threats or opportunities are generated by these occurrences? Be sure to consider any and all types of forces, including:

Social Economic Political

Technological Environmental Scientific

Legal Ethical

Forces (trends, events, factors) Threats Opportunities

High percentage of population uninsured More people not getting / delayingmedical treatment due to cost

Community education and outreach onavailable resources

Social

Aging / diminishing population Younger people leaving and not returningto locale

Diminishing population is threat to localbusiness and industry opportunities

Small community willing to help eachother and support local efforts

Substance abuse Drain on public financial assistance High school dropout rate and teenage

pregnancy higher among people who

abuse drugs and alcohol

Provide outreach and education inschools


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Nutrition, increasing obesity Poor nutrition and physical inactivityleading to increased incidence of heart

disease, diabetes, and childhood obesity

Increase availability of wellness/exerciseprograms, especially in schools

EconomicBudget deficits/cuts Delay in reimbursements from state

Programs may get cut if funding is notavailable

Forces organizations to rethink the waythey do business

Sparks innovationHigh unemployment rate People on public assistance and lack

insurance

People relocate to other locations insearch of job opportunities

Increase access to vocational andtechnical schools

Start career exploration in schools as earlyas junior high

Political

Healthcare Reform

Decreased funding Quality of healthcare Reduced incentive to recruit health care

workers

Provide more preventive health services

Occupy Wall Street Movement Pressures lawmakers towards socialistpolicies that will increase tax burden on

work force

May provide more resources for thepublic

Environmental

The overall community culture does not

exercise environmental awareness andimplement protective processes

Environmental concerns can havenegative impact on health of peopleliving in the community

Create environmental awareness andimprove environmental sustainability

Communicate and leverage bestpractices of those groups or individuals

that are proactive about environmental

concerns

Educate and encourage the public on theimportance and benefit of keeping the

community clean.


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Technological

Technology changes rapidly and requires

ongoing modifications and updates

High cost to keep state of the art techavailable in local area,

Current tech in place quickly becomesoutdated

Proficiency in technological innovationsand its practical application in health

care can result in greater efficiency

Electronic Health Records Money spent to maintain/obtain EHRtakes money away from patient care

Better communication of healthinformation leads to better healthcare

Ethical

There is a perception among local

constituents that local health care service

providers share private information other

than need-to-know basis.

Some seek treatment out of area toprotect privacy

Devise ways to change perception andreassure local residents about their right

to patient privacy (HIPAA)

forces of change - brainstorming worksheet

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