Think Global Act Local

The Jerusalem Municipality is divided into 32 districts, and each district is responsible for local urban planning and the interaction between local citizens and the City. Funding from the City is funneled through these agencies, which also serve as community centers. These centers have the potential to promote health in countless ways, from mandating green spaces to community based health promotion programs that address the specific needs of their populations.a

The Pollin Center recognized the potential of these local government branches to promote health  on multiple levels throughout the city.  We approached the  Jerusalem Municipality and the Health Ministry’s “Jerusalemites Choose Health” Project to partner in the  implementation of a training program for District CEOs and  their designated health promotion coordinators to become health promotion agents of change.e

Fourteen community centers sent representatives to the  12-session program of frontal and hands-on training, that we developed. Participants learned to map needs and resources, develop goal based programs, and to implement and evaluate these programs. Our partners enabled us to provide graduates with funding so as to implement their first neighborhood-wide health-promotion project.a 

Today, five months after conclusion of the course, neighborhood health promotion initiatives have commenced all over Jerusalem!a

Some of the programs now being implemented include:a

Community mapping in coordination with an urban planner. Marking designated walking paths and providing accessories for physical activities in specific neighborhood locations. A map of physical-fitness-enhancement-opportunities is being distributed to each household in the neighborhood

Dissemination of printed health information in an Ultra-Orthodox neighborhood’s weekly magazine. Materials are provided in a fashion appropriate for adults, and a separate, comic type section, for children

Summer fun for parents and children TOGETHER e.g. healthy food preparation workshops, health related arts and crafts, lectures and sporting tournaments

Babyland – A special program for mothers on maternity leave that includes provision of a healthy breakfast; postnatal exercise classes; yoga with the babies and lectures relevant to young women at this special stage in their life

The enthusiastic response and diversity of projects showed us that graduates truly internalized the importance of promoting health in their communities.  We are especially gratified that these coordinators from different neighborhoods are now working together, sharing ideas and professional resources. Pollin Center professionals continue to accompany and advise graduates as more and more projects take off.a

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