1. Designing an Effective Community Health Project
Mary McCord MD MPH
Anne E. Dyson Community Pediatrics Initiative
Columbia University, NewYork City

2. Definition of Community Pediatrics Adapted from Robert J. Haggerty, MD
The unique feature of community pediatrics is
its concern for the entire population of children
Community pediatrics [seeks] to provide a more realistic and complete clinical picture by:
taking responsibility for all children in a community,
understanding the determinants and consequences of child health and illness,
providing preventive and curative services,
understanding the effectiveness of services provided.

3. Ecological Model

4. Purpose of a Community Health Project
To improve children’s health in my community

5. What you bring to the table Adapted from Judy Palfrey MD
Developmental perspective
Concept of differential diagnosis
Notion of normal variation
Prevention strategies and orientation
Tailored/Individualized Approach
Continuity

6. What you bring to the table Adapted from Abraham Bergman MD
Our credibility rests on our scientific training
Bring expertise to bear on the problem, use sound data and when data isn’t available say so

7. Designing an Effective Community Project
Include a population perspective
How important is the problem in the community
How many children are affected
Which children are affected
How badly are they affected
How does that compare to other health problems

8. Designing an Effective Community Project
Include a needs assessment
How do people in the community perceive the problem
Who is affected by the problem
What do community members think are the causes
What do community members think would be good solutions

9. Designing an Effective Community Project
Include a community resource assessment
What is already being done to address the problem
What existing resources could be mobilized to attack the problem

10. Designing an Effective Community Project
Apply academic expertise
Do a literature review
Think about who has expertise that is applicable
Discuss the literature review, needs and resource assessments with experts in different disciplines

11. Designing an Effective Community Project
Consider the legislative perspective
Are politician interested in the problem
Are there potential legislative solutions

12. Designing an Effective Community Project
Propose an intervention
Estimate the anticipated effect of the intervention
Model programs define excellence, usually on a small scale
Large scale programs have an impact on more children

13. Designing an Effective Community Project
Include an evaluation plan
To assess the impact ‘Was it worth it?”
To convince others it is worth funding or replicating