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Proof of Concept: Integrating Health, Waste management, and Food Security at the Community Level

In my previous post, I discussed the need for a more integrated approach to health, recognizing the deep connections between health and socioeconomic factors. Now, I’d like to share a concrete example of how this integration can be achieved at the community level.

This project highlights the crucial role of Community Health Workers (CHWs or kader) as agents of change, bridging health, environment, and food security by leveraging their local knowledge and community trust. As health outcomes depend on addressing environmental and food security challenges, CHWs are spearheading community programs such as maternal & neonatal health post (posyandu) and grow your own food movement (GYOF). The project emphasizes the interconnectedness of these domains.

CHW distributing free organics at outdoor posyandu during COVID lockdown

The hypothetical framework

The project uses a Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) approach, engaging CHWs and community members in collaborative problem-solving. A framework was generated for integrating health promotion, waste management, and urban farming at the community level. This framework guides CHWs in implementing integrated interventions that address the root causes of poor health.

integrated health framework

This project is still in its early stages, but I had to put it down due to funding. Albeit it has already yielded valuable insights about the mechanisms at play in integrating health, environment, and food security at the community level.

Incentives for Community Health Workers

The project has potential answer to the question of incentivizing CHWs for their work, considering their responsibilities. At the center of the integration is a social enterprise that serves as income generation and provide funding for the initiatives. By empowering CHWs and leveraging their social capital, we can build more resilient and sustainable communities that promote the health and while focusing on the welfare of the CHW.

CHW growing their own food for posyandu and retail at traditional market

I had the opportunity to present this project at the INAHEA (Indonesian Health Economics Association) conference. Here is the slide that I presented, which provides an overview of the project.