Talks health policy Achtkarspelen and Tytsjerksteradiel
We held conversations with 90 people about health policy. The goal was to collect stories, experiences and good ideas. How can you work together to improve the health of people in Achtkarspelen and Tytsjerksteradiel?
The stories were used as input for new policies and as an impetus to become more connected and find new ways to work together. We deliberately held open conversations. That helped people talk about their own experiences. For most attendees, it was the first time speaking with each other in a mixed format on the topic of health. The talks were led by resident Suzan Bosch and prepared by the municipal project group Healthy 8KTD, with representatives from various policy areas.
Who did we talk to during the group discussions?
We spoke to a total of 90 people from both communities. All but 1 of these interviews took place digitally. An impression of the participants:
- Each group of about 10 people included residents as well as representatives of various organizations related to health. We also spoke to a representation of advisory board members and city council members from both municipalities.
- For each interview, at least half of the participants were residents.
- Through the municipal Social Domain Development and Advice team, organizations and residents from different policy areas were invited to participate in a conversation. The backgrounds of the participants were thus diverse: from schoolchildren to students, volunteers at a playground, village garden or association for village interests, employees, entrepreneurs, district nurses, physiotherapists, general practitioners, sports hall managers, neighborhood sports coaches, JOGG directors, social workers, employees of an area team, childcare and school managers, members of client councils, employed people, non-employed people, people with WMO indications, and so on. We also held a group discussion with employees and supervisors of the Achtkarspelen Social Enterprise (MOA). It provided an opportunity to talk not only about, but also with the target groups.
How to move forward?
From the municipality we want to be and remain in dialogue with residents and organizations. The memorandum was adopted in the Municipality of Achtkarspelen on January 27, 2022 and will be on the agenda of the Municipal Council of Tytsjerksteradiel for adoption on March 3, 2022. After adoption in both municipalities, the policy will be implemented from a local coalition with residents and organizations. Health is also a spearhead in the Environmental Vision.
Do you have any questions?
Below you can read more details about what was discussed. Rather see the outcomes in a different way? We've put the input into an infographic.
Input: what did you notice?
The subject of health is very much alive, but we are not used to talking about our experiences with health in this way. This form of mutual exchange is much appreciated. Participants are interested in each other's worlds, ideas, experiences and initiatives.
The conversation itself triggered all sorts of things
Some residents discovered that they are more of an example of health than they realized beforehand. Inspiring stories were shared that gave people ideas. While talking, people discovered their own resilience and reassessed their own situation. The atmosphere invited people to be open about vulnerability.
Collective concern about people we can't reach
The group we spoke with can be called representative of only a portion of our residents. And it was mentioned many times. We are collectively concerned about the people we cannot reach well with information and knowledge about health. We think health is important and we want everyone to have it. Especially when the conversation comes to children, there is a strong case that "health should be for everyone.
Problematic substance use is not often mentioned
This is striking, because in current policy there is a lot of focus on it. Several times smoking comes up, and how difficult it is to quit. Alcohol addiction was discussed in 2 conversations, but not otherwise. However, in the suggestion round, people do name their own non-smoking and non or moderate alcohol use as examples of healthy behavior.
Themes that came up: nutrition, lifestyle and exercise
The topic of personal responsibility or mediation also comes up in many conversations. Often the conversation also turns to obstacles people face: temptations, unhealthy habits, lack of information and knowledge and higher costs of a healthy lifestyle.
The broad approach of positive health is recognized and seen as valuable
It's appealing that this way you include underlying factors such as poverty, unemployment and loneliness. That helps to understand that people in socioeconomically vulnerable positions have more health problems and thus health differences between people. In the conversations where liveability came up, it was also apparent that participating is important for your health. Taking part and being able to mean something to someone else gives you self-esteem and is important for meaning.
Relaxation was mostly mentioned in positive terms
People consider it an important part of how you experience health. Stress as a health topic was little discussed. In interviews with young people, the topic of mental health came up, partly in connection with the corona measures.
Attention to a healthy environment, underlying problems and vulnerable groups are most frequently mentioned
When asked about directions the municipality could take to support residents' health, establishing a healthy environment, solving underlying problems and paying attention to vulnerable groups are mentioned most often. This is because they have the most impact on the complex problem of health disparities and disadvantages.
There are already many actions
From governments there are projects such as Healthy School, JOGG and GLI. It has been mentioned that more cooperation between municipalities and health insurers would be good. Because then we can more structurally prevent problems instead of repairing them. A number of villages are working on projects that also have a positive impact on health, for example Trynwâlderei, Meyd and Het Generatiehuis. And also on a smaller scale there are projects (business or otherwise) that have to do with health such as a green schoolyard, a Wetter and Willepark, MOA kitchen and a foodwalk.
There are many participants who are self-conscious and active about their health. We heard many stories of residents who persevere because you know what you're doing it for and because you've grown to enjoy it. We also heard that people are healthy because they find it valuable to take good care of themselves. The municipality could play a connecting role in this. This can be done by facilitating these initiatives where necessary, making them more visible and actively connecting them with each other.
It was also mentioned that the municipality could do more to make information accessible to all. What also came up in many conversations is that the municipality can do a lot as manager of accommodations and public spaces. You can make optimal use of public spaces and design them to be healthy. Exercise parks and picking gardens were mentioned in a number of discussions. These are also suitable as public meeting places.
A positive approach is seen as an important condition for reaching people
Only in that way can you make prevention and promotion work. And then extra attention may certainly be paid to the people who need it most. The participants here believe more in normalizing and encouraging healthy behavior and focusing on fun and resilience, than in prohibiting unhealthy behavior. There are different starting points for engaging with health, and the language used and the approach to residents is very important. Participants find it valuable to be involved and think along with them.