Although community health initiatives don't have to be costly, they do require a high level of creativity, commitment and passion, says Greg Waskul of Waskul World Wide Communications, in Glendale, Calif., who helped launch the Los Angeles Operation Immunization in 1993. So far, the effort has resulted in getting more than 250,000 children immunized. To improve the health status of your community, Waskul suggests:
- Incorporate your outreach program into an existing local program;
- Help spearhead the expansion of a well-recognized regional or national program like the Revlon Run/Walk campaign for cancer; and
- Bulletproof your concept by talking to potential community partners to gauge interest and to understand concerns or barriers upfront.
Source: Waskul World Wide Communications