Systems Perspective

From a systems perspective, a community is similar to a living creature, comprising different parts that
represent specialized functions, activities, or interests, each operating within specific boundaries to
meet community needs. For example, schools focus on education, the transportation sector focuses on
moving people and products, economic entities focus on enterprise and employment, faith
organizations focus on the spiritual and physical well-being of people, and health care agencies focus on
the prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries (Henry, 2011). For the community to function
well, each part has to effectively carry out its role in relation to the whole organism. A healthy
community has well-connected, interdependent sectors that share responsibility for recognizing and
resolving problems and enhancing its well-being. Successfully addressing a community’s complex
problems requires integration, collaboration, and coordination of resources from all parts (Thompson et
al., 1990). From a systems perspective, then, collaboration is a logical approach to health improvement.