Healthy Cities/Communities (HC) is an experiment that addresses health from a non-medical perspective. It focuses on health as a phenomenon that is not amenable to conventional scientific investigation or discussion. HC emphasizes values of community, aestheticism, relativism and private behavior.
Review of available material establishes that an existing understanding of the concepts underlying HC movement contributes to its successful application. No research appears on the attitudes of health care providers and public health officials on general beliefs about health. The importance of gauging the perceptions of these two sectors could determine the potential success of collaborative efforts for improving public health. Studies of health-related professionals, their perceptions for community health promotion and role of the administrative process, among others, will establish this potential in accordance with what the literature demonstrates. This study compares the attitudes and preferences of public health professionals and members of the hospital service category in Virginia concerning Healthy Communities concepts. The study concludes that the two sectors surveyed have similar attitudes and preferences on the issues that promote community health, thus showing potential for successful collaboration. Future research can explore the attitudes of other sectors, such as educational institutions, and their potential for engaging in collaborative efforts to create healthier communities.
