The socio-ecological model is used in work on a variety of social problems from malaria prevention to substance use disorder from interpersonal violence to heart disease.  The model acknowledges the role of personal responsibility, knowledge, and skills, but rightly situates the individual within the context of their interpersonal relationships, organizations, community, and society.

To put it another way, Native American wisdom says that if a tree is sick, it doesn’t make sense to isolate and treat the tree and place it back in the same sick forest. We must create a “healing forest”. Social problems aren’t simply individual problems and true change must examine the entire context.

I use the social-ecological model to help communities think through strategies to address social problems.  I also use it as a framework in my art practice where art functions as a lab for actualizing change.

The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention

An Introduction to the Ecological Model in Public Health