by the community, for the community

The Community Health Advisory Committees (HAC) provide advice, direction and information to improve the health of a community. This is done through the collaboration of health care and community-based partnerships.

To tackle the major health concerns and issues affecting neighborhood residents, HACs:

• promote the benefit of healthy lifestyle behaviors
• serve as advocates for education and increased access to health resources
• support residents concerns regarding health issues
• help communities track results and hold responsible groups accountable

The long-range intent of the Community Health Advisory Committee is to be the vehicle that brings and keeps health issues of the neighborhood in the forefront of policy makers and those that provide health care access within each quadrant of the city.

Who are the members? 

• civic associations
• area commissions
• residents
• healthcare providers and hospitals
• community agencies
• faith-based organizations
• schools 

How do they develop actions within a neighborhood?

• A community health assessment is done. This data and other information are presented to HAC members.
• Columbus Public Health provides technical assistance to help interpret the data and reports.
• Questions, answers, discussions and possible outcomes are defined.
• HAC members prioritize the health issues they want to address.

What makes them work?

• Knowing the community's history
• Establishing trust
• Educating the community
• Respecting community values & norms
• Including everyone
• Setting reachable goals first
• Identifying key stakeholders and issues
• Promising only what you can do
• Providing accurate information
• Being culturally competent
• Sharing in the decision making process
• and collaborate, collaborate, collaborate!

HACs by Area

Near East Health Advisory Committee
Zip Code Areas: 43203, 43205

Subcommittees

• Food Availability
• Physical Fitness                       

Co-Chairs: Tim Anderson,  tim_anderson_ta@hotmail.com
Trudy Gaillard, trudy.gaillard@osumc.edu

Facilitator: Ryan E. Johnson, rejohnson@columbus.gov (614) 645-7335

Southside Health Advisory Committee
Zip Code Areas: 43206, 43207

Subcommittees

• Access to Primary Health Care
• Disease Prevention/Health Promotion
• Environmental

Co-Chairs: Kathleen Gmeiner, kgmeiner@columbus.rr.com
Gladys Murray, gladysm813@aol.com

Facilitator: Matt Baldwin, msbaldwin@columbus.gov (614) 645-0380

Westside Health Advisory Committee
Zip Code Areas: 43204, 43223, 43228

Subcommittees

• Marketing
• Food Nutrition

Co-Chairs: Dru Bagley, dbagley@wowway.com 
Helen Evans, evenshelen@sbcglobal.net

Facilitator: Sarah Potter, sapotter@columbus.gov (614) 645-1488