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Systemic AND Systematic

It seems like every social sector organization is providing "systemic" solutions nowadays. (That's a sure sign that funders are demanding that we address root causes more--not just programs as a temporary band-aid for symptoms of persistent major underlying problems.)  

Of course, if everyone really were providing systemic solutions, we wouldn't have any problems anymore.  Instead, many problems are getting worse.  So, what are we missing?  What about truly catastrophic long-running and ever-worsening systemic issues like epidemic teen prediabetes & social-emotional unwellness, adult diabetes & overwhelming stress, and profound income & racial health disparities?

The social determinants of health (SDOH) framework shows us how complex such issues are.  But it's hard enough to reform one systemic cause of inactivity and unhealthy nutrition and disabling trauma--much less trying to tackle a dozen at once.  

This is where we can bring in a framework from the business world: 80/20.  What 20% of the effort will address 80% of the issue?  In other words, we need to review the main alternative strategies and then prioritize.  We need to act systematically, not just systemically.  

What does this look like to finally reverse the diabesity & mental health pandemics?

In the case of Healthy Future US, we focus on a shortlist of critical priorities grouped under four areas: Plans with People;  Policies;  Programs;  Payment with Payback.  (For more on this, please visit our website HealthyFutureUS.org, and particularly our latest slide deck under Resources.)

The combination of these systematic  systemic strategies working together will change the relevant education, health & other systems enough, to finally bend the preventable chronic disease curve downward.


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