Mode of Program Participation
Community Organizing and Educational Programming
Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
Regional Roadmaps for a Healthier Appalachian Tennessee
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
A comprehensive and systemic approach to increasing public awareness of the health factors which drive health-related policies and the coordination of public action promotes health at the community and personal level. Education about healthy habits is especially critical in rural Appalachian Tennessee communities where obesity, smoking, inadequate clinical care, and social and economic factors play a large role in perpetuating unhealthy life choices.
The Tennessee Institute of Public Health (TNIPH) at East Tennessee State University’ College of Public Health targeted local partners to award 63 mini grants that touched over half of the 52 Appalachian counties in 3 years. The purpose of the Regional Roadmaps projects was to strengthen community-based efforts that improve health, wellness and prevention with training, technical assistance, and mini-grants to enhance multi-sector collaboration.
The first cycle of the Regional Roadmaps promoted community-based approaches to address specific health issues (i.e., substance abuse, cancer, diabetes, cultural factors, lack of education, and economic issues). The second cycle, titled Regional Roadmap 2: Down the Road to a Healthier Appalachia, expanded the number of eligible counties providing an opportunity for new organizations and communities to participate.
The program was designed to allow TNIPH to work with local leaders to implement and expand community-based health initiatives with small grants. Awardees’ projects linked economic development with health and human services organizations and community stakeholders. The projects defined sustainable and scalable approaches to improving the quality of health in these counties and defined the relationship between health and economic benefits.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Ginny Kidwell, MALS, is executive director of the Tennessee Institute of Public Health, which brings together community leaders from health care, economic development, education and business from across the state to foster measurable healthcare improvement through data-driven planning, health education, public awareness, and research and advocacy.
Regional Roadmaps for a Healthier Appalachian Tennessee
A comprehensive and systemic approach to increasing public awareness of the health factors which drive health-related policies and the coordination of public action promotes health at the community and personal level. Education about healthy habits is especially critical in rural Appalachian Tennessee communities where obesity, smoking, inadequate clinical care, and social and economic factors play a large role in perpetuating unhealthy life choices.
The Tennessee Institute of Public Health (TNIPH) at East Tennessee State University’ College of Public Health targeted local partners to award 63 mini grants that touched over half of the 52 Appalachian counties in 3 years. The purpose of the Regional Roadmaps projects was to strengthen community-based efforts that improve health, wellness and prevention with training, technical assistance, and mini-grants to enhance multi-sector collaboration.
The first cycle of the Regional Roadmaps promoted community-based approaches to address specific health issues (i.e., substance abuse, cancer, diabetes, cultural factors, lack of education, and economic issues). The second cycle, titled Regional Roadmap 2: Down the Road to a Healthier Appalachia, expanded the number of eligible counties providing an opportunity for new organizations and communities to participate.
The program was designed to allow TNIPH to work with local leaders to implement and expand community-based health initiatives with small grants. Awardees’ projects linked economic development with health and human services organizations and community stakeholders. The projects defined sustainable and scalable approaches to improving the quality of health in these counties and defined the relationship between health and economic benefits.
