Beyond policy: How Community Engagement is Fortifying Public health in North Dakota
The fight for public health isn’t solely waged in legislative halls. Increasingly, success hinges on a deeper, more nuanced strategy: building trust and fostering genuine connection within communities. this approach is proving vital in states like North Dakota, were recent legislative sessions saw attempts to roll back public health measures. In this article, we’ll explore how proactive community engagement, spearheaded by advocates like Sandy Tibke and Josh Gryniewicz, is not just reacting to challenges, but proactively building resilience for the long haul.
The 2023 Battles & The Long Game
In 2023,North dakota faced a wave of bills that threatened to undermine public health initiatives. Tibke, a leading advocate, and her team successfully countered these efforts. However, they recognise this victory is just one battle in a much longer war.
“I foresee this to be a decade-long effort before things start to calm down,” tibke explains. The goal isn’t simply to defeat bills as they arise, but to fundamentally shift the cultural landscape surrounding public health. This requires a sustained, multifaceted approach.
Shifting the Focus: From PSAs to Cultural Levers
Traditionally, public health campaigns have relied heavily on public service announcements (PSAs) and celebrity endorsements. While these tactics have their place, Gryniewicz points out they often miss a crucial element: genuine cultural connection.
“Public health traditionally doesn’t go to cultural levers unless it’s doing a PSA with a celebrity spot,” he observes.The new strategy prioritizes understanding and engaging with the values, beliefs, and social networks within communities. This means moving beyond simply disseminating information and actively listening to concerns.
Building Trust Thru Unexpected Connections
The North Dakota team’s approach is anything but conventional. They’ve found success by forging relationships in unexpected places, like the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame.
These aren’t just photo opportunities. They’re intentional efforts to humanize public health professionals and build bridges with individuals who might or else be skeptical. Sharing a meal, participating in local activities - even ax throwing with a nun - creates a space for open dialog and mutual understanding.
* Face-to-face interaction: Direct engagement breaks down barriers and fosters empathy.
* Shared experiences: Participating in community events demonstrates a genuine interest in local culture.
* Humanizing public health: Showing the peopel behind the policies builds trust and rapport.
The power of “Unquantifiable” Work
Much of this work doesn’t lend itself to easy metrics. A barbecue with community leaders won’t show up on a grant report. But these seemingly small interactions are vital for shifting the cultural narrative.
Tibke emphasizes the importance of consistent, long-term effort.”It does take time to bring that trust back and consistent work and work that you can’t quantify,” she says. This “unquantifiable” work is the foundation upon which lasting change is built.
Lessons for Public Health Nationwide
The North Dakota model offers valuable lessons for public health professionals across the country:
- Prioritize Community Engagement: Move beyond traditional outreach and actively seek to understand local values and concerns.
- Embrace Unconventional Tactics: Don’t be afraid to forge relationships in unexpected places.
- Focus on Long-Term Trust Building: Recognize that cultural change takes time and consistent effort.
- Value “Unquantifiable” Work: Invest in activities that build relationships and foster understanding, even if they don’t have immediate, measurable results.
Ultimately, protecting public health requires more than just sound policy. It demands a commitment to building strong, trusting relationships within the communities you serve. By embracing this approach, you can create a more resilient and supportive habitat for public health initiatives for years to come.
Resources:
* North Dakota Department of Health
* North dakota Cowboy hall of Fame
