Innovation starts with understanding the underlying causes of a problem. And for some of the biggest social problems — like disparities in quality and access to healthcare — it takes the voices of many to uncover both the causes and effects of the issues facing our communities.

At reSET’s screening of Escape Fire: The fight to Rescuse American Health Care on Tuesday night, representatives from Connecticut non-profits, community organizations, health clinics, entrepreneurial start-ups, and healthcare companies came together to share their perspectives on the issue and to participate in a dialogue that helped them share their knowledge, experience, and vision for healthier Connecticut communities with one another.

The buzz generated throughout the room by these discussions was inspiring. People of all backgrounds, “were fired up” after the film, as one participant put it, and put that energy into talking about ways to change the values and profit generation strategies of our current healthcare system. (you can check out pictures in our gallery). Together, we reminded ourselves about the health care challenges we face, and the barriers that we must overcome. But if you were in the room with us on Tuesday, it was also evident that our community is ready to talk about solutions.

Following the film, three different conversation tables were set up for different audiences; health professionals, entrepreneurs, and community. At each table, a facilitator posed the question: “What is your vision for healthier communities?” and asked guests to discuss and write down one word that captured their vision. Participants then shared their personal experiences and viewpoints that contributed to their vision.

Here are some of the highlights from the conversations:

Community Table: Empowerment, Relationships, Accountability, Coordinate, Hope

Participants at the community table were most passionate about helping individuals to become partners in their own health. The most common vision for a healthier community was one in which people are aware of how to engage in healthy habits, how to build meaningful relationships with community clinics and health ambassadors, and most importantly, one in which access to health is available to all, close to home regardless of income and other social determinants.

The group was also asked, “How can we mobilize members of our community in the pursuit of solutions?” With openness and sincerity, participants reflected on personal experience and voiced a desire to mobilize the community by:

• building supportive teams to spread awareness about community clinics;
• engaging in patient centered care;
• sharing information and resources; and
• becoming community connectors who engage people in healthy habits and create a culture of accountability.

Health Professional’s Table: Partnership, Collaboration, Engagement, Transformation

This conversation focused on believing in people, not the system. With insight based on years of experience, these health professionals shared the belief that individuals have the power to engage in health, health care, and healthy habits on their own accord. This group was also passionate about   helping to build an effective infrastructure that enables them to do so.

In response to the question; “What types of interventions are necessary to transform our healthcare system?” participants offered up:

• developing partnerships between physicians and wellness coaches, and between healthy food organizations and health providers; and
• engaging schools and family centers;
• building methods for healthy outcomes such as a healthy food delivery system;
• a stronger community infrastructure for connecting health resources and community members,
• a system that rewards and reimburses for healthy behaviors and outcomes; transforming e-health records to include more wellness and lifestyle choices; and supporting public health departments to be the town leaders in supporting healthy habits.

Entrepreneur’s Table: Commitment, Balance, Educate, Communication, Action, Innovate

Entrepreneurs made up our largest discussion group and were very committed to action.  They were ready to commit to making change, and ready to encourage others to do so as well. Their vision for transforming our health culture was more proactive than reactive, and sought to create a balance between individuals, government, and business. They were then asked:  “What opportunities do you see to innovate for more healthy communities?”

This group discussed opportunities to use technology to help people change their behavior, develop accountability partners, and methods to proactively coach others toward healthy behaviors with empathy. The conversation also highlighted ways of bringing health services back to the community where people can engage more effectively by educating themselves and adjusting their lifestyles. Finally, the group emphasized building methods of rewarding people and communities for positive health outcomes.

So, what’s next?

Even though we covered a lot of ground on Tuesday, this conversation was only the beginning. This summer, reSET will host a series of events and workshops designed to connect social entrepreneurs and other community stakeholders, share information and resources needed to help make Connecticut healthier, and support healthcare innovation through business.

We hope you will join the conversation and support those working toward social innovation in healthcare in CT by attending our upcoming events. For more information and to register, please visit our website here.

We hope to see you soon!