Analysis of Health Priorities - Civic Participation
Priority Area 1: Increase Pride in the Community
Strong communities are characterised by high levels of social participation and strong networks. These communities benefit individuals and the economy because they are more innovative, competitive and resilient in the face of new challenges. This is evident whether the challenge relates to economic environment, an ageing population, bushfires, or climate change (DHS 2009).
Through the CN DAB, its sub committee’s and Neighbourhood Reference Groups (NRG), people living in Corio Norlane have the opportunity to actively participate in decision making processes that reflect their lives and their surroundings. Research suggests that participation in the community has many other benefits including:
- increased level of consumer satisfaction with services;
- individuals are more likely to take responsibility for their own health;
- planning priorities reflect the needs of the community;
- a sense of ownership is increased;
- access to services and responsiveness is improved; and
- the level of social capital in a community is increased (DHS 2009).
The CN DAB’s approach to community strengthening recognises the personal benefits of social participation to include: people feeling safer in their communities; being more likely to enjoy living in their community; having improved physical and mental health and wellbeing; having improved access to formal and informal sources of personal support; having improved family relationships; and improved access to employment opportunities.
In addition, strong links exist between strengthening community participation and enhanced physical and mental health. An aspect of good mental health is the capacity for mutually satisfying and enduring relationships. Social networks are believed to promote social cohesion, informal caring, and protection during crises, better health education, and better access to health services. Therefore, exposure to civic participation has the potential to positively impact residents of Corio Norlane well into the future.
Priority Area 2: Increase Social Connectedness
People with few social networks have been found to be more likely to report fair to poor health and to be experiencing some levels of psychological distress. By providing emotional support, social influence, companionship and opportunities for meaningful social engagement, social networks can influence self-esteem, levels of depression and distress, and sense of wellbeing. Evidence shows that when socioeconomic circumstances are similar across a community, it is those with greater involvement in their community who will experience greater school retention rates and lower unemployment and crime rates all factors which have a direct influence on health and wellbeing.
The G21 Health and Well Being Pillar investigation into health promotion priorities of member agencies found that there was a dominate focus on Social Connectedness. With particular emphasis on the need to build connectedness and social inclusion through the development of community awareness, support and connection via community gathering places (O’Callaghan 2009). This is consistent with the current Social Inclusion Agenda of the Federal Government.
Social support is an important factor that contributes to the health and wellbeing of individuals. People who feel valued by society may experience positive influences on health as a consequence of this. According to the Victorian Population Health Survey (2003), people with strong social networks generally: have a greater sense of safety; have improved health status; have improved sense of control over their life; feel more valued; and have more involvement in civic life.
Research focused on health and community participation in the Barwon and Otway Region found that only 20% of participants felt that they could influence decisions that affect their community. According to the Corio Norlane Neighbourhood Renewal Community Survey (2007), there was a slight increase (from the 2005) in response to the question ‘I feel I have some influence or control over decisions made in this neighbourhood’. However, only half of the 600 survey respondents felt that they have a sense of belonging to the community suggesting a further need for strategies for empowerment and inclusion of residents in the community. The link between health and connectedness supports the notion of working to increase participation within the community (Deakin University 2007, G21 2006).
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