Using Organizational Policy to Create a Positive and Supportive Environment: An Example of Women and HIV Prevention

Making meaningful contact with marginalized populations is a challenge that public health practitioners continually face. Vulnerable populations that are targeted in health promotion initiatives are frequent users of community-based organizations, making these agencies an important point of contact. The relationships communitybased organizations have with vulnerable populations are under-utilized for developing and disseminating health messages. Using the example of women and HIV prevention, this paper argues that amending policy within community organizations can be an effective method to improve access to health information and resources, and elicit positive change. Furthermore, greater collaboration and knowledge exchange between public health agencies and community service providers will ensure organizations have the capacity to implement evidence-based policies that foster an environment where long-term positive change can occur.