Capital Region Collaborative HEALTHY COMMUNITY Workgroup Report

Transcription

1 Capital Region Collaborative HEALTHY COMMUNITY Workgroup Report Presented on September 19, 2013 An addendum to the report presented on June 28, 2013

2 Capital Region Collaborative HEALTHY COMMUNITY INTRODUCTION Preventing disease is critical to helping our Region live healthier and longer lives. Poor diet and physical inactivity is directly linked to chronic disease and escalating health care costs. A healthy and fit Region is essential to our current and future productivity and economic health. To improve our community s health, prevention needs to be a part of everyone s life. We need to work together to champion and create healthy and safe communities, empower individuals to get involved in their health and eliminate health disparities that lead to poor health outcomes and quality of life. A healthy community requires prevention-focused systems and community environments that work together to produce optimal health across the life span. When these systems and environments are supportive, the result is a community in which individuals can more easily engage in healthy behaviors, access appropriate health services and therefore be more productive. Health problems are intrinsically linked to poverty, employment, education, child development, housing, the environment and other areas the CRC has prioritized. The work of the Healthy Community Work Group is important to the other priority areas of the CRC.

3 Capital Region Collaborative HEALTHY COMMUNITY ASPIRATION Our community is recognized for and embraces healthy lifestyles. GOAL Increase access to, opportunities for and knowledge of: Physical Activity Nutrition Health Services Health Advocacy STRATEGIES OVERVIEW 1. Support, expand and promote programs that offer opportunities for physical activity. 2. Promote a strong healthy food culture for the region. 3. Develop a Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan. Leverage those findings to ensure access to quality and culturally appropriate services for all residents in the Region. 4. Develop and launch a region-wide advocacy campaign to promote living a healthy lifestyle.

4 Physical Activity STRATEGY 1: Support, expand and promote programs that offer opportunities for physical activity Create a regional culture that supports physically active lifestyles by making it easy to incorporate into peoples daily routines. In order to create this Active RVA culture, it will take a network of regional partners from multiple sectors to define a common agenda that addresses the barriers and identifies opportunities to increase physical activity. Sports Backers will guide a collective network of Active RVA partners and lead the process of community engagement by establishing a coalition of multiple stakeholders to promote physical activity in the region. The coalition will work to build capacity, leverage resources and ensure an even playing field in underserved parts of the community. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: An active lifestyle translates into a healthier and higher quality of life. Moderate, daily physical activity increases your chance of living longer, and it can be as powerful as medicine in treating many medical conditions. For businesses, a healthier workforce can yield lower healthcare costs and increased productivity and morale, and for students there is also a positive correlation between physical activity, wellness and success in school. Not only are the health benefits real and tangible, but a community that values an active environment is a more vibrant and attractive place to live. Physical activity can be incorporated into a variety of community settings, including schools, workplaces and neighborhoods. It will be important for the Active RVA initiative to address and embrace each of these environments to ensure that opportunities for daily activity are maximized throughout the region. (continued on next page)

5 Physical Activity Conversely, sedentary behavior is a serious public health issue. Inactivity kills close to the same number of people as smoking (over 5 million deaths worldwide each year). It is particularly urgent in low-income communities where fewer people are active and suffer in greater proportion to health problems than the general population. It is imperative that we address this problem not only from a public health perspective, but across all societal sectors from the education system to transportation planning in order to make physical activity a routine part of daily life. LEAD: Sports Backers will guide a collective network of Active RVA partners and lead the process of community engagement by establishing a coalition of multiple stakeholders to promote physical activity in the region. The coalition will work to build capacity, leverage resources and ensure an even playing field in underserved parts of the community. PARTNERS: Business and industry, local governments, school systems, public health, healthcare systems, parks and recreation, fitness and sports organizations, transportation, and faith-based organizations. CROSS OVER: Quality Place, Coordinated Transportation, James River

6 Nutrition Strategy 2: Promote a strong healthy food culture Healthy food forms the first building blocks of a healthy and productive life. Most of our region s residents take it for granted that they have access to an immense variety of food from around the globe at their neighborhood grocery store, and that they can afford to purchase it. For many of our region s residents, this is far from the case. The region is littered with food deserts, areas where low-income people have little to no access to fresh and healthy food. In rural areas, low-income people with no or infrequent access to vehicles, especially children and elderly people, suffer from the availability of fresh food when grocery stores are far away. In urban and suburban environments, lack of healthy food access is exacerbated by the presence of unhealthy food available at corner stores and fast food restaurants. Fast food and processed snacks are high in fat, salt and sugar or high fructose corn syrup and chemicals, and relatively devoid of the nutrients our bodies need. Regular consumption of these foods leads to high incidence of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. This puts low-income residents at higher risk for disease, and ultimately a disproportionate and unnecessary strain on our regional health care system. Children who consume this unhealthy food have been shown to have more difficulty concentrating in school, which further exaggerates already-present educational disparities. Worse, children who are hungry have an even more difficult time. In our region and across the nation, children and minorities suffer the most from food insecurity.

7 Nutrition Another method of representing food-access in our region is Food Insecurity. Food insecurity is defined as a person not knowing where his or her next meal is coming from, whether from lack of access geographically or lack of ability to afford food. This also affects each jurisdiction in the Richmond Region. Most of our jurisdictions are below the state average of 12.7%, but Charles City (14%) and Richmond City (22.8%) are above it. The following map shows food deserts in our region: tracts which are both low-income and low-access. While approximately a third of the City is considered a food desert, there are also food deserts in Henrico, Chesterfield and Goochland.

8 Nutrition How does this affect our region and why should we focus on changing this? Healthy food access is a regional issue, and increasing food access can work to solve some regional ills. Regional data shows time and again that poverty, high health care costs and lack of available workforce hold the Richmond Region back from being as productive and successful as we can be. By addressing healthy food access, we can begin to even the playing field for all residents, giving each a better chance of living a healthy lifestyle and thus better contributing to our region s success. VISION: The Region is a haven of health and vitality in which ALL residents take part in an active food culture. Healthy eating, cooking and nutrition are taught in schools and classes are widely available to adults and families. Food is in the news, at the forefront of conversation, and a priority for residents and decision-makers. Access is spread evenly throughout the Region and gaps in access are covered by a powerful and connected network of providers. Food-related illness is low, as indicated by health statistics. Goal 1: Increase the amount of healthy food consumed by all people in the region. Goal 2: Reduce the hunger/food-access gap in the region.

9 Nutrition Solution: There is rarely one clear solution to a complex problem, especially one which is so entrenched and so intricately connected to other issues, like poverty. A myriad of projects will be necessary to eventually eradicate food access inequality in the region. However, there are several initial projects or efforts which will create immediate impact. First, it is imperative that there be communication between various entities already working on food access issues in the region. In order to share resources, eliminate redundancies and become stronger together, there needs to be a sustainable framework through which these entities can communicate. For the past four decades, cities and regions across the U.S. have been approaching this problem by creating food policy councils, groups of advocates, government staff, businesses and non-profits working together to change policy and begin new projects to eradicate hunger and food access inequality. The Richmond region needs to have a regional food policy council with strong non-profit and private-sector support, with the support of government. Generally, each sector represented will have a different role; non-profits to implement projects, private-sector to provide funding, and government to provide support, policy change and connection between projects and those who will benefit from them. Ideally, the food policy council would meet monthly or bi-monthly, and would employ one staff person, a Regional Food Policy Coordinator, to support projects, help related entities communicate and share resources, and to help implement the objectives of the council. Research has shown that some food policy councils are more successful than others. The two most significant aspects of a council which dictate success or failure are: government support and presence/lack of staff and funding. With these assets in place in the beginning, the Richmond Region s food policy council and food policy coordinator will be poised to make a real difference. This effort should be re-evaluated after the first six months.

10 Nutrition What will the food council focus on? What would funding go toward? To begin this work, the food policy council should begin by convening stakeholders in the community and supporting projects which are already underway or just beginning to form. For example, the food policy council could support and assist in funding a new, large-scale urban agriculture project aimed at providing jobs and job training to residents who would otherwise not be able to find work. Many of the below projects are already being discussed by non-profits in the region, and could be further supported by a food policy council or the CRC: URBAN AGRICULTURE PROJECT can provide job training as well as nutritional education, while providing fresh, healthy food FOOD HUB/AGRIGATOR one entity which acts as liaison between producers and stores/restaurants REGIONAL KITCHEN RESOURCE provides nutrition education, cooking classes, as well as space to act as small (food-related) business incubator. (Note: FeedMore s Community Kitchen cooks daily meals for food-insecure children and seniors.) EDUCATION PROJECTS projects which attack one of the most significant barriers to healthy eating in our region: knowledge of nutrition and why it matters REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY through intentional and collaborative community action, coordinate efforts to reduce food insecurity and close the meal gap for those who are hungry in our region. Monitor efforts through data and mapping to understand the presence of food deserts as well as service and retail providers. FACILITATING AND FUNDING OTHER FOOD-RELATED PROJECTS

11 Nutrition RECOMMENDATION: The Collaborative should support the founding of a regional food policy council, provide funding for a regional food policy coordinator position and provide funding for projects which increase food access in the region. LEAD: FeedMore and Doug Pick will take on the role of Convener, and Facilitating Leader for this effort. They can also supply some Project Management set up and tracking for the effort. As distinct categories are included, i.e. Urban Agriculture, FeedMore s thought is to have like-minded organizations come together, form a committee for that category, and select a chair/leader. RRPDC will offer additional resources when possible. PARTNERS: FeedMore, Lead Agency, RRPDC, FeedRVA, Share Our Strength, Food Advocacy Groups, Elected Officials, Grocers, Food Manufacturers and Distributors (ex: PFG), Shalom Farms, Fit 4 Kids, Tricycle Gardens, Public Schools, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Culinary School, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Cooperative Extension, Virginia Community Capital, Inc. Corner Grocery Store project, Virginia Farm Bureau, Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Tech Extension Office -- Jonah Fogel (community food systems facilitation), Health Safety Network representatives (e.g. Daily Planet, Free Clinics), Mayor s Poverty Commission, Mayor s Food Commission (committee), Virginia House of Delegates Food Desert Committee, Virginia State University College of Agriculture CROSS OVER: Social Stability, Quality Place

12 Health Services Strategy 3: Develop a coordinated, Regional Community Health Assessment and Improvement Plan. Leverage the findings to insure access to quality and culturally appropriate services for all residents in the Region A community health assessment and improvement plan reviews the health status and need of a community, identifies local health priorities and recommends strategies for community health improvement. Over time, a reduction in health disparities through increased emphasis on prevention and collaboration is realized. This plan can leverage limited resources and better coordinate and integrate initiatives already in place. The goal is to improve health status and quality of life for the Region. In our region, each hospital or health system performs its own health assessment based on its defined area of impact. The Capital Region needs a coordinated look without overlapping data at our community s health. How do we stack up in key areas such as disease prevention and treatment, access, healthy lifestyles, etc.? Where should we focus our time, energy and resources? These and other questions can be answered in one comprehensive, regional report. The region needs consistent, current and accurate data which is apolitical to in order to make sound decisions about supporting and/or expanding health and social services. RECOMMENDATION: Bring together a diverse coalition of stakeholders that share the mission to improve the health of our community to head up the development of a formal Health Assessment and Improvement Plan. This Assessment should include data for the region regarding health and mortality statistics, as well as physical activity and nutrition. This report will inform policy makers, corporations, philanthropic institutions and the general public on the health and specific health issues of the Region. Service providers can leverage those findings to insure access to quality and culturally appropriate services for all residents of the Region. LEAD: The Capital Region Collaborative will convene the coalition, host the initial meetings and continue to provide facilitation for this effort. PARTNERS: The Virginia Atlas of Community Health, RRPDC, Local government, business, higher education, philanthropy, individuals CROSS OVER: Social Stability

13 Advocacy Strategy 4: Develop and launch a region-wide advocacy/public education campaign to promote living a healthy lifestyle. RECOMMENDATION: The CRC should convene a coalition of representatives from government, business, philanthropy and health/healthy living related organizations to investigate the cost, structure and messaging for a region-wide advocacy/public education campaign. It will be important that this messaging be consistent with the rest of the strategies recommended in this report, as well as similar initiatives already in progress throughout the region. There are many models in use in other communities around the country, as well as some local examples of campaigns that may be able to be leveraged for maximum impact. The most successful of these campaigns leverage schools and other places for children, employers and social media to reach the widest audience. LEAD: Capital Region Collaborative will convene the coalition. PARTNERS: Sports Backers, Fit4Kids, local jurisdictions and school divisions, Smart Beginnings, Philanthropy, marketing agency representatives CROSS OVER: The James River, Quality Place, Regional Transportation work groups are all recommending a communications/public education strategy.

14 Capital Region Collaborative HEALTHY COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TEAM CO-CHAIRS: Susan Brown Davis, The Community Foundation John Estes, Richmond Memorial Health Foundation FACILITATOR: Rob Comet, BCWH Architects STAFF: Jackie Stewart, Richmond Region Planning District Commission ANALYSTS: Chad Dally, Capital One Jesse Slocumb, Capital One PARTICIPANTS: Chris Accashian, Retreat Doctors Hospital Karen Adkinson, GrowRVA Danny Avula, Richmond City Health District Carol Bensusan, Pediatric Connection Julie S. Bilodeau, Crossover Ministries Rick Bishop, Rabbit Ventures Rachel Bulifant, Bon Secours Anne Darby, Richmond Regional Planning District Craig Dauer, Healthcare Financial Analyst/Strategist Elizabeth Farrell, Powhatan Free Clinic Erima Fobbs, Virginia Department of Health Sheryl Garland, MCV/VCU Health System Reggie Gordon, Greater Richmond Chpt, American Red Cross Sally Graham, Goochland Free Clinic Gayle Hunter Haglund, FeedMore Susan Hunter, J. Sargeant Reynolds Adam Kennedy, Greater Richmond Aquatics Partnership Karen Legato, Fan Free Clinic Teri Lovelace/Caroline Nowery, Virginia Community Capital Tim McManus, HCA Maureen Neal, Daily Planet Mike Royster, Institute for Public Health Innovation Dick Seely, 7th District Health & Wellness Initiative Stephanie Simms, Fit4Kids Keisha Smith, City of Richmond Jason Smith, Bon Secours Derek Stamey, Goochland Parks and Rec Lisa Stevens, Daily Planet Mary Dunne Stewart, Greater Richmond Fit4Kids Barry Taylor, retired, formerly YMCA Bobby Ukrop, Ukrop's Homestyle Foods Joan Welch, Senior Connections Pete Woody, Sports Backers Physical Activity Nutrition Health Services Advocacy