In a 1,000-1,250-word essay, discuss the following:
What tool did you select and why did you select it instead of the other options?
What cultural insight did you learn based on the individual or group you selected? Include
a brief description of the individual or group you engaged for this
Assignment.
What challenges did you identify in facilitating the tool?
Discuss how the participants responded to the tool regarding their participation and
shared decision making. Consider how PLA tools are focused on building the
capacity of people versus projects or programs.
A Health in All Policies approach, which include economic and environmental
factors, is important in addressing the interconnectedness of health factors to
support holistic transformation. Discuss how this community engagement approach
through such a tool is useful for assessing a Health in All Policies approach. In addition,
consider how this approach is effective in reducing health
disparities by addressing economic and environmental issues through community
mobilization and assets. Review the website and introductory report on “Health
in All Policies,” by the American Public Health Association (APHA), and “What
You Need to Know About Health in All Policies,” by the World Health
Organization (WHO), located in the Topic Materials for additional insight.
Holistic Worldview Analysis
The selected tool is the Holistic Worldview Analysis (HWVA). The tool is a holistic
development strategy that involves the community in comprehending the community’s survival
strategy, enhancing the strength of the survival strategy, and ensuring that the community can
handle its problems (Jayakaran, 2015). This option is better placed in comparison to the other
options based on how it engages with the community, building on the already present capability
and ownership. An analysis of the community will first be undertaken to determine its survival
strategy. The process will entail tracking and identifying the revenue stream of the community,
in addition to the problems that the community faces, and the future uncertainties that the
community encounters (Jayakaran, 2015). Hence, in comparison to other tools, HWVA is
capable of developing a viable approach to reinforcing the community’s capability. HWVA is
2
HOLISTIC WORLDVIEW ANALYSIS
also the hub of the community’s development program because it is the visual print of the
community’s survival strategy.
Cultural insight of the Slovakians
The group selected has a Slovakia culture, and it has various folk traditions and shares some
similarities with Ukrainian, Hungarian, Polish, and German cultures. I learned that folk tradition
is deeply rooted in Slovakia and is showcased in architecture, dance, music, and literature. In the
social stratification, the Slovakian community is characterized by socioeconomic classes, in the
aspects of occupational and educational lines (LFP, 2018). Individuals of high socioeconomic
status are marked by the size of their apartment or home, stylish clothing, speech, and
automobile ownership. Those individuals in lower socioeconomic groups are more likely to use
regional dialects and take public transportation. There is also a percentage of people in the
community who receive financial help from relatives living in the West. The group I interacted
with took their privacy very seriously, and it was intricate for them to trust and open up to new
people. They, therefore, seemed to be reserved and formal. However, after I developed a
personal relationship with the Slovaks, they opened up to me, and I realized they are very polite
(LFP, 2018). They also value family as social structures based on emotional and financial
support. The family is the most fundamental obligation for everyone.
Challenges I identified in facilitating Holistic Worldview Analysis.
In facilitating the holistic worldview analysis, there was the challenge of identifying common
ground, with those individuals who held that development is a top-down process. These people
do not believe that development should have an upward trend, which commences with the local
communities and be beneficial to the entire population. Another major problem I identified in
facilitating Holistic Worldview Analysis was in using the Participatory tools. I struggled in
3
HOLISTIC WORLDVIEW ANALYSIS
analyzing the information to apply as a planning tool, whereby the community continues to
persist being an active partner. The other problem was assembling the findings of the exercises in
the form of an analyzed and collated depiction of the survival strategy of the community. I also
faced the challenge of comparing and measuring one aspect with the other. I also had a challenge
in facilitating the cooperation of the community because of the privacy they cherish. Time
constraint was another challenge as applying the PLA tool was time-consuming. My facilitation
skills were poor, which exposed the tension in the community.
.
How the participants responded to the tool regarding their participation and shared
decision making.
The participants were curious about how the HWVA would impact their life as a community.
Based on the fact that Slovakians are private people, they were hesitant to participate in the
process. However, they were willing to improve their lives, and they were therefore cooperative
in the process. The participants were finally enthusiastic in partaking in decision making about
their community.
How PLA tools are focused on building the capacity of people versus projects or programs.
Participative Learning and Action tool are used in gaining an in-depth comprehension of a
situation or a community. Being a participatory methodology, it entails the active and full
participation of community members (Jayakaran, 2015). The primary purpose of PLA is to assist
individuals in the community and assess their situation, instead of having their situation being
analyzed by outsiders. PLA is designed in such a way that it is entirely a participative process,
and community members have a viable influence on how work is carried out. The objectives and
goals of the PLA are agreed upon and clarified with the communities (Jayakaran, 2015). In the
4
HOLISTIC WORLDVIEW ANALYSIS
event of conflicting or multiple goals, the issues are resolved before the proceeding. The
objectives and goals reflect on the needs of the communities rather than those of the outsiders.
When PLA is undertaken effectively, PLA supports the mobilization and empowerment of local
communities and individuals within them. On the other hand, PLA offers information for
outsiders, including program and project staff.
Holistic Worldview Analysis and Healthcare
The social determinants in the community are education, housing, and income inequality.
HWVA is imperative in promoting health sustainability and equity in the community. The gaps
in healthcare will be identified that have mitigated the survival strategy. The community is also
actively engaged in addressing development and health issues. The community will be
empowered to solve various issues in the community (APHA, 2020). The community will be
able to tackle the issue of inequality in the community, which leads to disparity in healthcare
access. The HWVA approach will be a viable way of how the community can mitigate inequality
and ensure that everyone can access healthcare. HWVA will address the issue of education to
ensure that the community comprehends the issues that revolve around healthcare. When the
community can access equal education opportunities, they can have a viable impact on the
community’s wellbeing. The quality of education has a significant effect on how people can take
care of their health.
Home is the heart of the Slovakians who value family. However, the pressure of owning a home
is augmented, which takes a toll on the health of individuals’ physical health. Nevertheless,
suitable housing is imperative in ensuring that health outcomes for the community. Unhealthy
housing leads to poor health outcomes (APHA, 2020). However, striking a balance between the
5
HOLISTIC WORLDVIEW ANALYSIS
increased pressure of owning a house and living in an unhealthy house are points that are
addressed by HWVA. Income is the most influential health determinant as it affects all the other
aspects, such as education and housing. The wealthy individuals in society can increase their life
expectancy while the poor in the community struggle to meet the increasing cost of health care.
HWVA will be a viable way of addressing these issues.
6
HOLISTIC WORLDVIEW ANALYSIS
References:
APHA (2020). Holistic Worldview Analysis.
Jayakaran, R. (2015). Wholistic worldview analysis: understanding community realities.
LFP, (2018). Culture.