Creating Healthy Communities and Overcoming Barriers through Effective Coalitions

Efforts for chronic disease prevention must occur at all levels including individual, family, community and the broader society. Collaboration between traditional health agencies and nontraditional sectors such as transportation and education professionals occurs to implement sustainable society changes. To explain this collaborative approach, this presentation will highlight the best practices of the Ohio Department of Health's Creating Healthy Communities (CHC) program. CHC is helping communities, schools, worksites, and faith-based institutions to become places where healthier choices are easier choices. Through policy, systems, and environmental changes, CHC is working to increase opportunities for physical activity, improve access and affordability to healthy food, and assure tobacco free living for all Ohioans. In 2013, CHC impacted nearly 1 million Ohioans within its 16 funded counties who have all been identified as having a high burden of chronic disease.   Coalition building within each community is vital to CHC’s impact and helps to alleviate common barriers such as lack of funding, volunteers, community support. Through coalition building, public and private partners help CHC secure additional funding over their initial award to enhance and further support change throughout the community. In 2013, CHC leveraged nearly $2 million to support efforts. This amount does not include the countless hours of volunteer labor time which also helps to advance efforts and the overall reach of the CHC program.  To increase the sustainability and overall achievement of the program, coalition members also help to evaluate and communicate the program’s impact through data collection and success stories.