To help improve the community's overall health, Jefferson County Public Health is introducing the Community Health Improvement Plan that will focus on six strategies to increase physical activity, health eating and overall mental well-being.
The program, also known by its acronym CHIP, reflects the department's priority on health equity, said Donna Viverette, the county's health education supervisor. That equity can be achieved by addressing the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, learn and age, she added.
CHIP was developed based on the results of two comprehensive assessments in 2013 on the county's community health and public health system capacity. The community health survey found chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and cancers were the leading cause of death in Jefferson County. They were linked to five common risk factors --; poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and exposure, alcohol use and chronic psychosocial stress.
The CHIP plan, in beginning stages of development and implementation, includes six strategies covering a period of five years. In 2018, the plan will be revisited for further assessment.
An "overarching network allows each (strategy) to align partnerships, resources, communications and data to work together," said Pamela Gould, the county's health planner. "Each one is tackling different focus areas."
The first goal focuses on low-income families with children ages 0-18. The plan looks at ways to increase physical activity, healthy eating and psychosocial well-being.
Each strategy is being referred to as a Coalition Integrated into the Network, or CoIN. They include: Active Living Policy, Food Access, Healthy Beverage, Health in Early Childhood, School Wellness and Preventive Care and Mental Health Resources.
Although working together to accomplish the goals of CHIP, the CoINs are "very distinct with different focuses," said Nancy Braden, the county's public health communications manager. Each of the CoINs is working toward creating coalitions or councils consisting of community partners. The community partners include local organizations, such as schools or farmers' markets, and residents.
"Everyone has the opportunity to attain their highest level of health," Viverette said. "Everyone deserves an equal chance to be healthy and thrive."
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://arvadapress.com/stories/Jeffco-focuses-on-community-health-for-all,206373?branding=15
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