The field of community health aims to improve the social determinants of health which can reduce health disparities and enhance health equity. Models such as the social-ecological model are commonly used by community health professionals to show the interplay of social and other factors as supporting or inhibiting a community’s health. In A restorative practices strategy to advance community health, the evolution of the community health field is traced, leading up to the recent U.S. Surgeon General’s report, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation. In addition to the work that has been done to identify key factors and dynamics, it is necessary to focus explicitly on how we strengthen relationships and community. Integrating principles from the social-ecological model, a new model is presented to describe how restorative practices can be used to advance community health goals by focusing on social connection, facilitating community engagement, fostering positive social norms, nurturing collaboration, addressing harm and healing, and increasing equity in systems and policy. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Access the Presidential Paper by Gina Baral Abrams, Dr.P.H., Ed.M., LSW, MCHES®, A restorative practices strategy to advance community health, here.
Community Health Podcast Series
Tune in for the Restorative Works! Podcast series on community health and restorative practices! These episodes bring in experts from across the public health field to explore the US Surgeon General's recent report, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.