Creating a healthier place to live, learn, work and play: Four achievements of the healthy community council assessment process

Introduction/Background: The Healthy Community Council (HCC), established with the mission to enhance quality of life, has conducted community-wide assessments on quality of life since 1996. From the assessment data, community priorities are identified and action teams are formed to address each priority. Methodology/Strategy: Based on the outcomes of action teams, the HCC leadership committee identified four specific accomplishments that include: 1) promoting a green community infrastructure, 2) coordinating local food systems, 3) empowering youth through healthy lifestyles, and 4) accessing healthcare for vulnerable community members. Outcomes: In promoting a green community infrastructure, initiatives focused on alternative transportation, disposal, recycling and solid waste management, water quality, local foods and green energy design. In coordinating a local food system, a Buy Fresh Buy Local chapter was established, a food directory was published, and funding secured to increase fresh produce for those in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Empowering youth through healthy lifestyles has included decreasing risky health behaviors such as tobacco, drug and alcohol use, and sexual activity, while developing healthy behaviors such as positive peer and family relationships, youth leadership skills and civic engagement. Increasing healthcare access for vulnerable community members was accomplished through the funding for a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides care to Medicare recipients, refugees and the homeless. Conclusion: Identifying community accomplishments through the outcomes of action teams, established based on assessment data, provides insight on the importance of a community driven assessment process.