Reducing Health Disparities: Ideas for Resource Development and Technical Assistance

Abstract

Health professionals concerned about promoting health education activities, concepts, positive behaviors, and community involvement are constantly looking for new and better ways to demonstrate the success of their programs; communicate their messages; and reinforce the mission of public health, which is defined as fulfilling society's interest in assuring conditions in which people can be healthy (Institute of Medicine, 1988). This ongoing search for new resources for education, training, and/or technical assistance is an integral component of building capacity at the community level and strengthening the ability of health professionals to provide health information. Health information in this article is being defined as the content of communications based on data derived from systemic and scientific methods as they relate to health issues, policies, program, service, and other aspects of individual and public health, which can be used for informing various populations and in planning health education activities (Report of the 1990 Joint Committee on Health Education Terminology). An excellent example of building such capacity for health professionals is through the Journal of Health Education's Community Learning Ideas and Procedures (CLIPS) Column, which promotes ideas and procedures related to models that guide health educators as they work in program planning, interventions, resource development, community organization, and marketing. This article provides a CLIPS approach to resource development, technical assistance, and training as it describes the ways the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) mobilizes its efforts and builds health infrastructure in order to assure comprehensive quality health care for underserved and vulnerable populations.