1. The Intersection of Public Health, Social Work, and Aging

2. Source: http://publichealthsocialwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/PHSW_Campaign_Materials.pdf

3. What is Public Health?  It is the art and science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and research on disease and injury prevention.  Helps improve the health and well-being of people in communities and across the nation  At the heart of public health is a commitment to social justice, “based on the compelling desire to make the world a better place, free of misery, inequity and preventable suffering…” (Krieger & Birn, 1998). Source: http://publichealthsocialwork.org

4. 10 Essential Elements For Creating And Sustaining A Healthy Community 1. Monitor health status to identify community health problems 2. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community 3. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues 4. Mobilize community partnership to identify and solve health problems 5. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts Joan Merrick, Public Health in a Global Context, Frontiers in Public Health, doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2013.00009

5. 10 Essential Elements For Creating And Sustaining A Healthy Community 6. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety 7. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable 8. Assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce 9. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services 10. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems Joan Merrick, Public Health in a Global Context, Frontiers in Public Health, doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2013.00009

6. Social Work and its Long Collaboration with Public Health  Many advances in health and social justice can be traced back to the intersection of social work and public health. The establishment of maternal and child health clinics in the early 20 th century The beginnings of child abuse and neglect prevention The humanization of treatment of people with mental illness The passage of Medicaid and Medicare (public health insurance for poor, disabled and old) are all examples of public health and social work collaboration (Ruth and Sisco, 2008). Source: http://publichealthsocialwork.org

7. Current Issues Facing Public Health and Social Work  Widespread social changes affect millions of people every day: The economic downturn Globalization and increased migration Natural and man-made disasters Persistent chronic diseases, disability and resulting health disparities Source: http://publichealthsocialwork.org

8. What is Public Health Social Work?  Over a hundred years old, it draws on both social work and public health theories, frameworks, research, and practice  Integrated, trans-disciplinary approach to preventing, addressing, and solving social health problems  It’s about prevention, not just intervention after problems have occurred  It uses multiple methods, including research, policy, advocacy, clinical, and macro approaches Source: http://publichealthsocialwork.org

9. What is Public Health Social Work?  It works across population levels, from individuals to groups, communities and whole populations  It assesses the health needs of the target population and determines the association between social factors and the incidence of health problems  It emphasizes reducing the social stress associated with health problems  It determines the social supports that promote well- being and provide protection against ill health and minimize disability and institutionalization  It’s strengths-based and emphasizes resilience and positive factors to promote health and reduce risk Source: http://publichealthsocialwork.org

10. Public Health and Social Work Borrow From One Another  Social work researchers use public health epidemiology to frame interventions in arenas such as human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, substance abuse, violence, and maternal and child health  Public health’s focus on multiple determinants of health and disparities applies social work methods, including community organizing, empowerment, and ecological approaches Source: Ruth BJ, Sisco S, Wyatt J, Bethke C, Bachman S, Markham Piper, T. Public health and social work: Training dual professionals for the contemporary workplace. Public Health Reports, 2008 (2) 123.

11. Roles in Public Health Social Work (PHSW)  Policy analyst  Program planner  Provider of direct services  Administrator  Evaluator  Researcher Source: http://publichealthsocialwork.org

12. Public Health Social Work Standards  PHSW uses social epidemiology principles to: 1.Assess and monitor social problems affecting the health status and social functioning of at-risk populations within the context of family, community, and culture 2.Identity and assess the factors associated with resiliency, strengths, and assets that promote optimal health Source: Public Health Social Work Standards and Competencies, May 2005, http://www.sphtc.org/ph-social- workers/ph_scl_wrkcompetencies_may05.pdf

13. Public Health Social Work Standards  PHSW uses social epidemiology principles to: 3.Identity, measure and assess the social factors contributing to health issues, health hazards and stress associated with ill health 4.Evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility and quality of individual, family and population-based health interventions Source: Public Health Social Work Standards and Competencies, May 2005, http://www.sphtc.org/ph-social- workers/ph_scl_wrkcompetencies_may05.pdf

14. Public Health Social Work Standards  PHSW uses social planning, community organizational development, and social marketing principles to: 5.Inform and educate individuals, families and communities about public health issues 6.Empower and mobilize individuals, families -and communities to become active participants in identifying and addressing public health concerns to improve individual, family and societal well-being 7.Promote and enforce legal requirements that protect the health and safety of individuals, families, and communities Source: Public Health Social Work Standards and Competencies, May 2005, http://www.sphtc.org/ph-social- workers/ph_scl_wrkcompetencies_may05.pdf

15. Public Health Social Work Standards  PHSW uses social planning, community organizational development, and social marketing principles to: 8.Assure public accountability for the well-being of all, with emphasis on vulnerable and underserved populations 9.Develop primary prevention strategies that promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities 10.Develop secondary and tertiary prevention strategies to alleviate health and related social and economic concerns Source: Public Health Social Work Standards and Competencies, May 2005, http://www.sphtc.org/ph-social- workers/ph_scl_wrkcompetencies_may05.pdf

16. Public Health Social Work Standards  PHSW provides leadership and advocacy to: 11.Assure the elimination of health and social disparities wherever they exist such as, but not limited to, those based on community, race, age, gender, ethnicity, culture or disability 12.Assure and promote policy development for providing quality and comprehensive public health services within a cultural, community, and family context Source: Public Health Social Work Standards and Competencies, May 2005, http://www.sphtc.org/ph-social- workers/ph_scl_wrkcompetencies_may05.pdf

17. Public Health Social Work Standards  PHSW provides leadership and advocacy to: 13.Support and conduct research, evaluation, and data collection 14.Assure the competency of its practice to address the issues of public health effectively through a core body of social work knowledge, philosophy, code of ethics, and standards Source: Public Health Social Work Standards and Competencies, May 2005, http://www.sphtc.org/ph-social- workers/ph_scl_wrkcompetencies_may05.pdf

18. Four Key Roles Social Workers Can Play in Public Health Efforts 1. Assess needs of boomers, older adults, and caregivers in their community context Needs for information, resources and support Diversity of population Health disparities Policy and environmental factors Adapted: Public Libraries: A Source of Information and Support for Older Adults to Engage in Their Health and Health Care. Draft Report, Center for the Advancement of Health, 2007

19. 4 Key Roles Social Workers Can Play in Public Health Efforts (continued) 2. Focus on targeted health issues or behaviors and formulate a strategic set of strategies and activities: Think holistically – physical, mental, cognitive and spiritual health Actively engage in health promotion/disease prevention, chronic disease self-management Support caregiver needs Educate adults as informed consumers of health information, health programs, and health care Promote civic engagement, volunteerism, job training Advocate for “upstream” environmental and policy supports Adapted: Public Libraries: A Source of Information and Support for Older Adults to Engage in Their Health and Health Care. Draft Report, Center for the Advancement of Health, 2007

20. 4 Key Roles Social Workers Can Play in Public Health Efforts (continued) 3. Form partnerships with local service networks: e.g., senior centers, area agencies on aging, public health services, non-profits, parks and recreation, gyms, campuses, etc. Align with national Administration on Aging, CDC, foundation initiatives Adapted: Public Libraries: A Source of Information and Support for Older Adults to Engage in Their Health and Health Care. Draft Report, Center for the Advancement of Health, 2007

21. 4 Key Roles Social Workers Can Play in Public Health Efforts (continued) 4. Have your agency be a host site for: Health promotion programs Screening tests and immunizations Health information programs Caregiving support groups Training programs Adapted: Public Libraries: A Source of Information and Support for Older Adults to Engage in Their Health and Health Care. Draft Report, Center for the Advancement of Health, 2007

22. 8 Social Work Strategies for Promoting Healthy Aging 1. Provide assessment, counseling, and referral services regarding health promotion in clinical and multidisciplinary settings 2. Enhance information sharing and research alliances 3. Improve the competence of communities to develop strategies for helping older adults define and reach their goals 4. Participate in community management to reduce potential barriers to the promotion of health and healthy aging http://www.cswe.org/File.aspx?id=24037

23. 8 Social Work Strategies for Promoting Healthy Aging (continued) 5. Advocate regarding development and maintenance of community infrastructures 6. Encourage better use of available community resources 7. Develop partnerships among key players and stakeholders in the community 8. Promote economic developments that will lead to better health practices among the general population http://www.cswe.org/File.aspx?id=24037