Focus on community health kicks off monthly column

What does community sustainability mean to you? How does it pertain to Spokane and its citizens? Beginning with this article’s look at health, readers will embark on a monthly examination of the above question, investigating the essential elements that contribute to community sustainability on a given topic. In the months leading up to Sustainable September, we will explore topics such as community-based economic development and local energy, while also highlighting helpful resources available to the public. The subject of health is particularly pervasive in our everyday lives. Whether through media exposure or a simple walk outside, no topic is more familiar both publicly and intimately. At the same time, it is one of the most contentious issues of the modern era. Taking in the spring-like air of recent days, we don’t often consider that the weather is a product of an intricate interplay of individual elements. Air, water, fire and earth work together to provide conditions that are vital to our survival. Just as the elements combine to form a complete climate system, the harmony between the citizens, families and organizations of Spokane creates and sustains a healthy community. From the health care debate to H1N1, citizens across the nation must now reexamine their own approach to achieving a state of well-being, as well as the organizations that serve to provide and maintain health in our communities. Pursuing health advice in our society can bring about confusion and typically produces more questions than answers. Despite having more information at our finger tips than ever before, it is still easy to feel lost among the endless expert opinions and latest fads. Whether at the supermarket or at home watching television, we are constantly inundated with advertising touting the health benefits of a vast array of products. One question a savvy consumer might ask is this: Are any of these quick-fix cures (be it diets or new and improved pharmaceuticals) capable of fostering sustained, holistic health? For years, terms like “sustainable” and “holistic” have hovered on the periphery of society. Lumped together with other “New Age” terms, they have been viewed more as novelty ideas than practical solutions. Today, with health insurance systems in disarray and medical costs skyrocketing, those who were initially curious are now taking a serious look into other healthcare options. A truly holistic approach to health could serve as one answer to solving the dilemmas facing the Spokane public. Every day we discover surprising ways in which our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health are intertwined. Recent studies have discovered a correlation between volunteering and increased overall well-being. Specifically, volunteers experienced noteworthy decreases in levels of blood pressure, stomach acid and cholesterol counts. This phenomenon has since been labeled the “helpers high,” wherein acts of altruism can counter some of the negative impacts of stressful life events. The Spokane Holistic Chamber of Commerce is a local coalition of small businesses and practitioners on the forefront of the local holistic health movement. Their primary goal is to promote “awareness of life style issues such as health, nutrition, exercise, relaxation, mental attitudes, the environment, and the interdependency of small businesses [in Spokane].” While people traditionally regard health as a private and individual matter, the idea of community health is centered on creating conditions in which whole geographic communities can be healthy. Focusing the emphasis on prevention enables a variety of exciting community-based approaches to empowering people to address their collective health needs. Examples of this community-based approach include the Health For All (HFA) and Integrated Access programs. As a regional resource that connects people to health care-related programs and services, HFA handled over 7,500 client calls last year for health-related issues. Providing customized support to people in need of a variety of services, Community-Minded Enterprises developed Integrated Access. A partnership among 20 local agencies, Integrated Access provides a comprehensive coordinated referral system, holistically supporting people’s need/s for community resources. Enhancing the interplay between citizens and community contributes greatly to the health of Spokane. Providing insight into Spokane’s organizations and businesses, Community-Minded Television’s “The 509 with Cece Marie” program brings greater awareness to our community, strengthens bonds and fosters a healthy relationship between the public and the organizations that seek to serve it. The health of a community is dependent upon on the health of its citizenry and vice versa. Spokane and the Inland NW currently have the system and service integrations necessary for framing a dynamic and resilient community. By encouraging integrated support systems and comprehensive access for all citizens, Spokane can be at the forefront of health innovation, setting the precedence for community wellbeing for years to come.