Listening and responding to community voices — the community wellness hub

Marginalized populations in the United States continue to carry the burden of health inequities. Ameliorating these inequities requires a commitment to social justice, addressing social determinants of health, and authentic community engagement. In response to West Philadelphia’s designation as a Promise Zone, CNHP launched the “We’re Here Because We Care: Building Healthy Communities Together” initiative to partner with community stakeholders, capture their voices, identify residents’ health needs, and create programs to address those needs.

Using a deep-dive qualitative approach guided by the eight Ts of the Jemmott Community Engagement Model (“trust, time, talk, tenacity, team, talent, transparency, and tireless faith”) and partnering with the nonprofit organization Together for West Philadelphia, a team comprising CNHP faculty, staff, volunteers, and partners from the Mayor’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity engaged with more than 1140 West Philadelphia residents and stakeholders. These conversations took place in 20 “Call to Action” town hall meetings, 85 focus groups, and 72 individual interviews. This effort identified top health concerns in the Promize Zone: chronic diseases, behavioral health, sexual health, environmental health, access to care, access to healthy food, and access to physical activity and fitness programs.