Abstract for: Democratizing Systems Thinking for Public Health Professionals

Systems Thinking is important, especially in Public Health, but not necessarily a routine practice. Causal Loop Maps represent one may to make a habit of systems thinking, but are from a world that often leaves them out of reach for those external thereto. This tool was created to provide public health practitioners with everything we need to use and understand causal loop maps as a tool for making systems thinking routine in our work. With a public health learning community, I created a comprehensive tool that provides background information, where and how to start, instructions to create a map, how to read it and what to do next. All of this is presented with the understanding that the user knows their context best, so just as no two maps will look the same, the action steps will necessarily vary based on audience. Systems Thinking is critical to effective public health practice. In order to make systems thinking routine, practitioners need tools that are clear, accessible, and easy to use. This project aims to meet each of the elements above, and support public health practitioners in making systems thinking a habit. This tool was created by public health practitioners, and piloted among them as well, so establishes an original contribution to the field of systems thinking for an important audience.