EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - District-oriented healthcare work in Heerlen

District-oriented healthcare work in Heerlen

Introduction

This project goes deeper into the problem of differences in health across socio-economic lines. The project is a pilot in the district of Molenberg, a district earmarked for special attention where the average socio-economic status is low. These high-risk groups are not or hardly ever reached by general, educational, health-promotion campaigns. As part of the project, which was financed with local authority bank (GSB) funds, there is integrated collaboration with the many agencies involved. Furthermore, attention is given to the participation of residents.

Problem

To what extent has the pilot project in the Molenberg district advanced the health of the residents in Eastern Zuid-Limburg?

Description

In the Molenberg district, since March 2000, about 20 partners who either have an executive task in the care sector or an alerting function resulting from contact with citizens in the district have been working in concert.

Initially, the health problems of the Molenberg neighbourhood were established by the Care and Health network. The City Health Services supplied data from the Health Monitor and the partners supplemented them with their own information and experiences.

On this basis, the first activities focused on head lice, the use of medication in the elderly and good nutrition, commenced in 2000. In 2001 the spearhead was exercise for various target groups in the district from young to old.

Approach

The district-oriented approach to promoting health:

Intersectoral collaboration, the various sectors responsible for the (health) problem, work in concert.
Integrated approach, account is taken of the relationship among all aspects that determine the health problem.
Participation, people themselves determine what their health needs and problems are and how they want to tackle them. They think and/or participate in the development and execution of any activities.
Connect with the existing situation and (im)possibilities.

Results

At this time, 9 activities have been completed and 10 new activities have been prepared for 2002. The relevant partners collaborate in each activity.
The collaboration with the partners in the Care and Health network is very positive. The involved parties hold consultations approximately five times per year and collaborate in specific activities for residents.
The activities were well attended and evaluated positively by residents and are therefore consistent with the needs and lifestyles of the citizens.
Many activities were set up quickly which are focused on health promotion.
Collaboration with the GGD and the City of Heerlen was very positive.

Learning experiences

The district-oriented approach is a very labour-intensive method of health promotion.
There is still too little collaboration with residents in the planning and execution of activities. Residents are now represented only by the Molenberg Neighbourhood Management Foundation.

Contact info

N. Zimmermans (Health and Nutrition Information Officer), tel. +31 45 5732345

Project start date

07/05/2002

Links

Medical Health Service (GGD) Zuid-Limburg (in Dutch)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Keywords

Health