Rural Landscapes of Community Health

The book describes a novel method of engaging rural communities in partnership initially with nurse learners to research and employ the Community Health Assessment Sustainability Education (CHASE). The CHASE model provides a consolidated structure that immerses nurse learners in community development and involves learners to be active in their own learning in partnership with their group peers, community organisations and educational supervisors. It is a crucial and battle-tested component of the Community Development Research Framework and is recognised internationally as a teaching and learning tool. The book engages with community development practitioners, community activists as described by the International Association of Community Development (IACD), professional bodies including rural health practitioners who provide services to rural populations, nursing, academic institutions, including undergraduate health disciplines as well as postgraduate learners, educators, and researchers.
This volume describes the CHASE system in detail and offers case studies on its application in a variety of geographical contexts. Its contents recognise and showcase through numerous case studies that rural communities, which account for nearly half of the global population are confronted with reduced access to healthcare which contributes to increased health disparities. The CHASE model is a starting point that does not set out to impose a single understanding - it is adapted in practice to rural communities' requirements. Therefore, capturing how this model has been adapted within diverse international rural communities to accommodate community needs is paramount to this project and showcased and aligned with each individual case study. The CHASE model enhances collaborative relationships in the global landscape and further contributes to inform nursing curricula, and teaching and learning pedagogy internationally.
This book is a valuable resource of pioneering work that spans disciplines and promotes collaboration among stakeholders invested in rural community health. By weaving together connections between disciplines and communities, the authors highlight the importance of spatial thinking and its impact on health and well-being. Readers are given a comprehensive exploration of the challenges of indigenous, minority, and vulnerable rural populations presented as insightful narrative, case studies and visionary outlook, the book urges readers to rethink rural health and make a positive impact on the well-being of communities worldwide.
- Kate Emond, Rural Department of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Australia
The Editors have skillfully incorporated on interdisciplinary focus on the CHASE Model in Action. The authors facilitate and evaluate favorable social change, enhance healthcare delivery systems and improve social determinants of health via interdisciplinary actions within international, national and local community development.
- Angeline Bushy, University of Central Florida College of Nursing, USA