Buncombe Co. Brings Healthy Programs to A Predominantly Latino Neighborhood

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In 2012, health officials from Buncombe County, North Carolina partnered with a local hospitals and community organizations, to conduct a community-wide health assessment. What they learned was that close to  30% of Buncombe adults were obese; 33% were overweight; 37% of adults had high blood pressure; and 7.9% of the community suffered from diabetes.

After learning about the dire health challenges that residents faced,  the county health department quickly took action by coming up with a plan to improve the health of the community.   As part of the plan the health department formed local partnerships and came up with six health priorities which included goals to address obesity and improve child health.

These key partnerships and collaborations, led to the formation a number of health related policies such as: improved nutrition quality at after school programs, a community garden at local restaurants, and community wellness programs aimed at minorities, among other offerings.

Furthermore, a food pantry along with other social services, and a Safe Routes to School program were brought to a local elementary school (Emma Elementary) in a predominantly Latino community.

The Buncombe County Greenway & Trails Commission has also started working to establish a system of greenways and sidewalks that would link residents to local businesses, neighborhoods, and places work.

In 2014, as a result of their efforts to prevent obesity and improve the health of the community, Buncombe County was selected as one of the 2014 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize Winners.

Read more about this here.