What is Community Engagement?
Community Engagement is the process of intentional and equity-focused collaborations and partnerships among Ochsner (Community) Health, Xavier University, and the communities they serve based on mutual respect and understanding of improving health outcomes, exchanging knowledge and resources, changing policies, programs, and practices that influence behavioral and systems change, creating clear communication streams and building trust.
Collaborations and Partnerships:
- Engage and include community stakeholders, businesses, neighborhood associations, colleges and universities, schools, churches and faith-based institutions, public officials, non-profits, organized groups, social aid and pleasure clubs, and other health care providers and entities
- Attend community meetings and town halls; Join existing coalitions
- Volunteer in the community
- Utilize community information and resources to gain knowledge of community activities and involvement
- Establish relationships and build trust
- Support or help enhance existing community activities and structures
- Share data pertinent to community needs
Expected Outcomes:
- Sustained and long-term trusted partnerships
- Established communication channels
- Improved health outcomes; Reduction in health disparities and gaps
- Positive behavioral and systemic policy changes
Health Advocacy (New Page)
The Ochsner-Xavier Institute for Health Equity and Research will advocate for policies that improve community health, with a special focus on areas recognized to significantly impact health outcomes, including:
- Maternal Health
- Tobacco Prevention and Cessation
- Education
- Job Opportunity
- Digital Access
We will also serve as a resource to policymakers and other stakeholders by providing education and research to support targeted policy changes