Transcript What Other VA Communities are Doing About Health Community Health Forum May 20, 2015 Presented by: Kara Meeks, Community Liaison Augusta Health.

What Other VA Communities
are Doing About Health
Community Health Forum
May 20, 2015
Presented by: Kara Meeks, Community Liaison
Augusta Health
Healthy Roanoke Valley
• A community driven initiative spearheaded by
the United Way of Roanoke Valley
• Focus = improving the health and wellness of all
citizens in the Roanoke Valley
• January 2012--Community Health Assessment
Team, led by Carilion Clinic, conducted the
Roanoke Community Health Needs Assessment
and developed a plan to address the needs
identified.
Roanoke Valley CHNA Priority Areas
• The assessment identified three health priority areas :
– Access to health services
– Coordination of care
– Wellness
• October 2012, Healthy Roanoke Valley (HRV) was
created in response to the Roanoke CHNA.
• HRV consists of many dedicated organizations and
stakeholders working to create a shared vision and
evidence-based strategies that tackle the issues
plaguing the health of the Roanoke Valley.
Collaboration of HRV
• A steering committee and five work groups were
born:
– Access to Medical Care
– Access to Oral Health Care
– Access to Mental Health
and Substance Abuse Services
– Coordination of Care
– Wellness
• All volunteers came together to move the
initiative forward.
Mission of HRV
• To mobilize community
resources to improve
access to care,
coordination of
services, and promote
a culture of wellness in
the Roanoke Valley.
HRV Projects
• Geospatial analysis
(conducted by Roanoke
College) looked at
community resources
(parks, walkability, bike
routes, food, retail),
community safety
(documented crime),
indicators for health (BMIfor-age percentile) and
perceived access to healthy
living.
HRV Projects (continued)
• Result = PATH Coalition (Physical Activity and
Healthy Food Enhancement Strategy)
• This coalition focuses on at-risk neighborhoods
(with highest BMI percentages).
“Walk Safely in your
Neighborhood” event
in the West End
neighborhood of the
City of Roanoke
Live Healthy Lynchburg
• Live Healthy Lynchburg was founded in 2012.
• It has evolved to become a complex umbrella
organization with numerous community
partners.
• It is a resource for the entire community to
encourage health in every citizen, at every
gathering, every day.
Mission and Pillars
• Our mission is to achieve positive health
outcomes for the Lynchburg region through
community partnerships that develop policies,
systems, and environmental strategies.
• Five Pillars:
–
–
–
–
–
Eat Healthy
Play Healthy
Work Healthy
Learn Healthy
Pray Healthy
Resulting Programs
• The Mayor’s challenge to lose 12 tons
in 2012!
– This seemed daunting for a community
where 1 in 3 children and 2 out of 3
adults were overweight.
– BUT….the ticker at the top of the
webpage hit 24,000 lbs lost in midAugust- before the end of the challenge!
• The 100 Mile Challenge
– With the 100 mile challenge, the website
was able to spur competition to over 100
companies, some with multiple teams.
More Programs…
• Lynchburg Grows
received grant funding to
develop and operate a fruit
and vegetable market on
wheels; this will serve
citizens in our areas that
lack access to healthy,
affordable foods, known as
food deserts.
And More Programs….
• A Centra Foundation grant
provided funding for
Lynchburg City elementary
school staff members to
receive training by
Playworks.
– Playworks, a national nonprofit
program, trains schools on how
to incorporate safe, healthy
and inclusive play and physical
activity at recess and
throughout the entire school
day.
Policy Changes
The Lynchburg Schools Wellness policy includes:
– The banning of soda from vending machines in
elementary schools.
– Increased daily activity time (all elementary students
have 25 minutes/day of supervised activity time and it
cannot be restricted as a consequence of student
behaviors) and recommended the integration of
activity (e.g. activity breaks) and consistent
messaging into the classroom.
– Teachers are not to use food or beverages as awards
or incentives
The Payback…..
• The city of Lynchburg applied and was
designated as a Let’s Move City. They were
recognized by Michelle Obama at a ceremony at
the White House.
• In May 2014, a Gallup poll rated, Lynchburg the
37th Happiest and Healthiest among 189
metropolitan areas in the US!