Public Health Awareness Month! Part 2

Public health initiatives are crucial for ensuring that everyone has access to the healthcare and resources needed for a healthy life. Success depends on identifying the specific needs of different groups within our community, often categorized as target populations and special populations. This blog will discuss these differences and how Jemez Public Health tailors its programs to meet these needs through an equity lens. 

Jemez Public Health’s Commitment to Health Equity 

Health equity ensures that everyone can achieve the highest possible level of health, regardless of their background or socio-economic status. At Jemez Public Health, we are committed to addressing health disparities by developing culturally relevant, accessible programs that meet the unique needs of our community. We demonstrate that health equity is an actionable goal through partnerships with community leaders and targeted outreach to vulnerable populations. By focusing on health equity, we aim to create a future where all community members can attain optimal health.  

Understanding Our Community: Key Demographics and Definitions

Public health extends beyond treating illness—it seeks to address the root causes of disease and promote wellness across entire populations. To do this effectively, we must first understand the unique characteristics of our community. At Jemez Public Health, that means grounding our work in a clear understanding of who we serve. This begins with defining our target and special populations, two foundational concepts that shape our priorities and guide our interventions.

• Target populations are groups identified as the primary focus of a public health initiative based on shared characteristics and health priorities. These groups are selected because they face specific vulnerabilities or disparities that require focused attention. In the Jemez community, our target populations currently include youth and elders, as well as individuals at risk for colorectal cancer—each experiencing distinct health needs that benefit from culturally responsive and preventive approaches.

• Special populations refer to community members living with specific health conditions or who face structural barriers to care. These barriers may be cultural, economic, systemic, or geographic and often require intentional, equity-focused interventions. In our current work, special populations include individuals managing diabetes and youth impacted by obesity—two groups for whom layered support and long-term health strategies are critical.

  
  

These community profiles allow us to design programs that reflect the lived experiences of the people we serve. At the core of our work is a commitment to health equity and cultural integrity—ensuring that no one is left behind in our shared journey toward wellness.

Targeting and Supporting Native Communities 

Jemez Public Health is dedicated to meeting the needs of our Jemez community, particularly our elders, youth, and families, who are often overlooked in broader public health initiatives. We have developed culturally relevant programs tailored to our community to ensure access to essential support and resources. Our approach respects the traditions and values of the Jemez people.  

A powerful example of this commitment is our success in increasing colorectal cancer screenings by 300% over just two years. Instead of relying on impersonal mail-outs, our team took a more community-centered approach. We developed an instructional video in Towa, our native language, to demonstrate how to use the screening kit. Then, rather than expecting community members to navigate the process alone, our Community Health Workers conducted home visits with individuals identified as at risk and guided them through the video instructions. This personal connection—combined with culturally relevant tools—transformed the experience and dramatically improved screening rates. 

Real Program Examples at Jemez Public Health 

Here are some examples of how Jemez Public Health tailors its efforts to meet the unique needs of target and special populations.  

• Trail Club After-school Program  

• Hemish Youth Summit 

• Elder Nutrition Programs 

• Culturally Respectful Vaccine Education 

• Outreach to Homebound Elders & Food Insecure Families 

Jemez Public Health is dedicated to promoting health equity by supporting elders, youth, and families. It aims to eliminate barriers to healthcare, creating a more inclusive system for all. The success of this commitment is seen in programs like the Trail Club After-school Program, the Hemish Youth Summit, and the Elder Nutrition Programs, all tailored to the community's needs.