Communities across the nation are facing a growing prevalence of obesity and associated preventable chronic diseases – the Tri-State is no different. Currently, in our region, one-third of adults are obese – higher than the national average. Tri-State children are also affected, with a third of our youth either obese or overweight. Unfortunately, excess weight dramatically increases the risk of many conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and some cancers. In January 2016, the World Health Organization warned, “…obesity is particularly concerning and has the potential to negate many of the health benefits that have contributed to increased life expectancy.” In their 2012 report, Trust for America’s Health cautioned, “…the current generation of young people could be the first in U.S. history to live sicker and die younger than their parents’ generation.” The solution is not in access to health care alone because obesity is difficult and expensive to treat. Prevention is necessary – through community solutions focused on policy, systems, and environmental changes – ultimately leading to lifestyles that incorporate healthy eating and active living.

Healthy Eating & Active Living

Impact Stories

Social Determinants of Health

There’s a lot of discussion today focused on the Social Determinants of Health. These are defined as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age and include factors like socioeconomic status, education, neighborhood, and physical environment, employment, and social support networks as well as access to health care.

There are a growing number of programs and initiatives working to address the Social Determinants of Health both within and outside of the healthcare system.

Please take a few minutes to watch the video above and consider the impacts of these Social Determinants of Health on our community.

Health Equity

The underlying message of the “Social Determinants of Health” is that the conditions in which people live have a more significant impact on their overall state of health than their genetics. Access to quality food, education, transportation, and living conditions all play a critical part in our health.

The concept of “Equity versus Equality” challenges the idea that giving “equal” treatment to every individual is adequate. Instead, equitable treatment accounts for individual/community needs and unique sets of circumstances.

This month, we’re taking what we’ve learned from each of the past two advocacy topics (the Social Determinants of Health and Equity versus Equality) as we look at Health Equity.

Understanding Health Equity is a vital piece in moving the needle in health outcomes. If we understand the relationship between “equity” and the Social determinants of Health (access to quality food, affordable housing, education, transportation, stable income, and stable relationships), we are more likely to create sustainable change.

Our Investment

A culture of Healthy Eating & Active Living will contribute to the following community changes:

  • More residents of all ages are meeting the recommended guidelines for nutrition and physical activity
  • Fewer residents of all ages will have weight-related chronic disease

The Foundation has identified four specific priorities that rely on comprehensive planning and systemic change:

Nutritious Food and Beverage Availability – Increasing opportunities for healthy eating
Physical Activity Access – Increasing opportunities for active living
Healthy Environments – Increasing opportunities to facilitate systems change
Motivate Usage – Encouraging individuals to make healthy choices

 

The course of many disease conditions can be slowed or corrected with an emphasis on healthy behaviors, environment improvements, and screening programs for early detection. Through this data, we hope to create awareness of local health-related concerns and to motivate action towards healthy and active living.

Path to Impact

Our Path to Impact is the process by which the positive change that we believe our communities need will be realized through the focus on the priorities listed above.

HEAL in the Tri-State Region

For more than 15 years, Welborn has been investing in communities across 14 counties in order to improve the health and welfare of residents in the Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky Tri-State region it serves. The Foundation refined its grantmaking approach in March 2016 with a commitment to foster a culture of healthy eating and active living by strategically directing resources to support population health improvement.

Linked below is a white paper that describes the urgency of focusing on healthy eating and active living in the Tri-State region. It identifies policy, systems, and environmental change approaches with the potential to 1) increase healthy eating, 2) increase active living, and 3) achieve important co-benefits that, together, will contribute to population health improvement. The paper recognizes that how the work is done is just as important as what work is done. Finally, it outlines critical practices that support the comprehensive, collaborative work required to create and sustain population-level impact.

HEAL Programming

The Upgrade campaign was started in 2009 with one overall objective in mind – to help area residents learn and adopt small lifestyle changes that could lead to large health improvements. While it started as a print and radio media effort, it was accelerated through the CPPW funding awarded to the Foundation via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Indiana State Department of Health. One requirement of the grant was that funding go toward increasing awareness of healthy eating and active living through paid media. Upgrade developed a multi-media plan involving television, radio, print and outdoor venues. In addition, a website (upgradenow.org) and corresponding social media was implemented. From there, Upgrade became a recognizable brand sustained through visible projects throughout the community.