Development of a Community Health Leadership Training Program

Background The lack of community leaders with effective health leadership skills has fostered the proliferation of Health Leadership Programs, which are essential in training and enhancing leaders’ skills, enabling them to return to their communities to change behavior and improve health, consequently sustaining healthier communities. This paper examines the development of the Morehouse School of Medicine’s Community Health Leadership Program at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute. It identifies its structural components and its developmental process. Methods This community-academic partnership was developed through several in-depth meetings and a thorough feedback process involving several stakeholders. Literature reviews, Iterative feedback sessions, and group discussions involving these partners culminated in the development of a structured training program. The collaborative process yielded a series of didactic sessions, field experiences, application experiences, networking experiences, and public speaking opportunities for participants, among others Lessons Learned The thematic lessons learned include the importance of Community Engagement, Leadership Skills Development, and the use of evidence-informed Decision-Making, Collaborative Problem-Solving, Cultural Sensitivity, and Adaptability, Resource Mobilization and Sustainability, Empowerment of Marginalized Groups, Health Literacy and Behavior Change, Challenges of Limited Resources, and the Multiplier Effect of Training, among others. Conclusion The Community Health Leadership Program (CHLP) seeks to give participants the information, abilities, and resources they need to successfully lead health programs, advocate for legislative reforms, and encourage community involvement. The Program establishes a long-lasting basis for enhancing health outcomes and decreasing inequalities by prioritizing culturally appropriate methods, interdisciplinary cooperation, and evidence-based practices. acts as a catalyst for the development of healthier, more resilient communities by equipping up-and-coming leaders with the ability to effect change.