Integrating health planning and social planning: a case study in community-based partnerships for better health

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a study that investigated the processes through which health planning and social planning were integrated in practice, at the community level, through the active engagement of childcare centres in health promotion and community capacity building. A small-scale, retrospective study of Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds, a community-based health promotion project for early childhood environments, was conducted. Focusing on links between health and social planning, the study revealed crucial factors that led to integrated planning and action at the community level: opportunities for professional development, the strengthening of partnerships through interpersonal networks, reduced isolation of childcare staff in community contexts, and genuine engagement of childcare centre staff in a planning process. It also demonstrated how momentum for planning and action at the community level was created, and how a shift towards integrated health and social planning, stemming from an attitudinal shift by childcare staff towards planning and partnerships, emerged. Insights are gained on ways to build upon the social component of health promotion programs, so as to establish sustainable partnerships for integrating health and social planning in communities.