Prevention of long-term conditions

Community Prevention of Long-Term Conditions

Communities identify local risks linked to long-term conditions and organise practical, sustainable prevention and access-to-care initiatives.

A framework for action shaped by local priorities

Programme objective

Support communities to identify local priorities relating to long-term conditions and lead practical action on prevention, early detection and barriers to care.

How we work together

BarnMD uses Community Organizing Participatory Action Research (COPAR). In practice, residents help identify local priorities, understand the causes, decide what matters most, organise local leadership, take action and review the results.

01Getting to know the community
02Understanding local needs
03Agreeing priorities together
04Building local leadership
05Planning and taking action
06Reviewing progress together
07Planning for the future

Examples of activities

✓Participatory mapping of local health concerns and risk factors
✓Community-selected hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular priorities
✓Community health action groups and volunteer capacity building
✓Locally designed healthy-living and physical-activity initiatives
✓Community-led blood-pressure awareness, screening and follow-up using validated monitors and trained personnel
✓Community planning for access to, shared use and maintenance of blood-pressure monitors
✓Mapping referral barriers and organising follow-up with appropriate health services

Who may take part

• Adults and families
• Community and faith groups
• People and households affected by risks to long-term health

Local leadership

A community health action group with resident representation, trained volunteers and a liaison with an appropriate local health facility.

Intended outcomes

• Community assessment of long-term health priorities completed
• Representative action group functioning
• Community action plan implemented and reviewed
• Accessible blood-pressure monitoring and referral arrangements established where prioritised by the community
• Referral resources, barriers and follow-up needs reviewed

Safeguards and boundaries

• Blood-pressure measurement and clinical interpretation must be undertaken by trained, competent personnel using validated equipment.
• Obtain informed consent, protect personal health information and provide clear referral and follow-up pathways.
• Monitor maintenance, calibration and safe use of shared equipment.

Participate in community-led change

Contact BarnMD to discuss local health priorities and how a community-led project could be planned. Activities are developed with residents and proceed after appropriate safety and operational reviews.

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