General Information

Background

Organization	University of Wisconsin-Madison
Professional Title	Graduate student
Bio and Background	Addison Baajen Konlan is a PhD researcher in Nutrition and Metabolism whose work focuses on food bioactives, health outcomes, and evidence-based prevention. He is also a leader with Force for Health (FFH), where he supports workforce development, health education, and safety-focused training programs. His work bridges research, public health, and practical education to improve health systems and community well-being.
Why I am a Force for Health Member	I desire to advocate for good health and wellbeing in my community, family, country and the world at large. I’m proud to be a Force for Health.
How I use the Force for Health Network Tools	I use the Force for Health Network tools to stay organized, streamline my work, and translate research and public health principles into practical training programs. They help me save time, maintain consistency, and balance my PhD research with leadership and health workforce development by simplifying planning, communication, and delivery of safety-focused education.
My inspiration	My mother. She has been able to single handedly cater for all her children after the demise of my father. She has a heart of gold and always ready to give everything she has to the poor and needy in society.
Location	1415 Linden Drive, Madison WI, 53706
What would you like people to know about your community?	My community has a very rich culture. We speak Bimoba as a language. According to History, our ancestors came from Togo in Africa to settle in a small area in Ghana where they established the bimoba land. Our major delicacy is Tuozaafi, produced from Maize. We are predominantly farmers.

My Citizenship Health Factors

Some of the factors that have been challenging for me have been...	The challenge of funding to help advocate for Universal Health Coverage in my community
It's important for me to be part of my community's health because...	Being part of my community health will help me to transform lives in my community in the area of thei health.
Some of the strength of my community health factors are:	They love to be educated. They are not rigid to change. They are very hardworking.
Some of the challenges in my community regarding certain health factors are:	Low level of Health Education, Poor Health coverage and Insufficient Health facilities
I believe I can help improve my community's health by...	Advocating for equal or universal health coverage. I also want to educate them about their health and the need to stay healthy.
Does your Community have what it takes to be a best in class model for collaborative, healthy communities? Why or why not?	Yes—our community has strong potential to be a best-in-class model for collaborative, healthy communities, but continued effort is needed. We have engaged stakeholders, growing health awareness, and emerging partnerships that support prevention and education. However, to reach best-in-class status, the community must strengthen coordination across sectors, expand access to evidence-based resources, and ensure consistent participation and accountability so collaboration translates into measurable, lasting health outcomes.

Advancing the DREAM