Kay W. Eilbert, DrPH MPH MBA, Consultant, 6113 Holly Tree Dr, Alexandria, VA 22310, 703-329-1970, kk81@cox.net

Most research on partnerships in public health assumes that they contribute directly to community health improvement efforts. However, the strategy of partnership must be implemented effectively before it can contribute to these efforts. Bringing together the social determinants of health framework with the management and organizational development literatures, a model for community health partnerships offers a framework for 1) determining which organizations should work together around a specific health improvement goal, 2) developing activities or sub-systems that support the partnership’s survival, 3) identifying problems that inhibit an organization's ability to participate and that can be traced back to its environment, and 4) measuring the value added by organizations collaborating. Use of the model may improve the practice of partnership in public health by permitting a feasibility analysis to decide the form of organizational affiliation to be pursued and monitoring and evaluation of the contribution of the partnership to the overall health improvement goal.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to
• recognize the need for a definition of partnership and a model for improving planning and evaluation of community health partnerships
• discuss the importance of using a social determinants of health framework in developing a partnership
• describe the elements of the community health partnership model

Keywords: Partnerships, Models for Provision

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.