Oxford N.C. – The Working on Wellness (WOW) Coalition has been awarded a $450,000 grant over three years from The Duke Endowment to help improve health in Granville County.
The WOW Coalition of Granville County is one of five initial participants in The Duke Endowment’s new initiative, Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas. The program takes a bold approach to addressing chronic health issues such as unhealthy weight, diabetes and heart disease. Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas is kicking off in five diverse North Carolina regions – Catawba, Chatham, Granville, Montgomery/Richmond and Wilkes counties – with future plans to expand throughout the Carolinas.
The WOW Coalition represents a multi-disciplinary group of community organizations working collaboratively to understand and address community needs. The core team members of the coalition include representatives from Granville Vance Public Health, Granville Health System, Granville County Schools, Northern Piedmont Community Care, and Granville County Cooperative Extension.
Currently, the WOW coalition is supporting the implementation of the highly effective and evidence-based CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) program at Stovall-Shaw Elementary School. “CATCH had proven effectiveness in launching children, families, and their communities toward healthier lifestyles”, said Amy Rice, Principal at Stovall-Shaw Elementary School. Stovall-Shaw is a newly designated Health and Wellness magnet. Over the grant period, resources and assistance will be offered to additional schools to spread and expand on the lessons learned at Stovall-Shaw.
Research shows that North Carolina ranks 31st among states when it comes to the overall health of its residents, with two-thirds of residents considered overweight or obese. Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas recognizes that health and well-being are created and sustained not just through individual and clinical efforts, but through the cooperation and support of the extended local community.
“Where we live, where we go to school and work, how we spend our free time – even our ability to access fresh food and safely exercise near our homes – all contribute to our health and well-being,” said Bailey Goldman, WOW Coalition Coordinator and Lead Health Educator for Granville Vance Public Health. Members of the WOW Coalition all agree that to truly improve health within our community, we have to expand how we think about what affects our health. lt’s more than just what we eat and how many calories we burn. It’s how our community and its economy impact our health. By focusing on children and families in these initial efforts we will learn a lot about how to increase quality of life for all people.
Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas provides opportunities to bring together leaders from hospitals, health departments, community agencies, and other stakeholders in community well being. The funding provided by The Duke Endowment will strengthen the infrastructure of the local coalitions that are coordinating health improvement efforts, so that they are well-positioned to identify and implement interventions that work.
“The health challenges facing the Carolinas have been decades in the making,” said Mary Piepenbring, vice president of The Duke Endowment. “They cannot be effectively addressed overnight, nor can they be solved by individuals and organizations working alone. We’re starting with communities that have considerable health needs, but also proven ability to take on local challenges. They have a history of successful community-wide collaboration.”
Representatives from the five coalitions will participate in a learning collaborative with opportunities to share information with each other as they develop best practices for organizing, planning and implementing evidence-based programs known to improve health.
“The coalitions selected by the Endowment are intentionally diverse and unique,” said Laura Edwards of Population Health Improvement Partners, the North Carolina-based organization that will provide expert assistance to each local coalition. “While there will be many opportunities for exchanging ideas, each community will receive support to pave its own path forward. The hope is that eventually the lessons of the five coalitions can inform the work of others throughout the Carolinas.”
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Based in Charlotte, N. C., and established in 1924 by industrialist and philanthropist James B. Duke, The Duke Endowment is a private foundation that strengthens communities in North Carolina and South Carolina by nurturing children, promoting health, educating minds and enriching spirits. Since its founding, it has awarded more than $3 billion in grants.
(Press Release provided to WIZS News by Granville County Schools, and the Press Release was originally prepared by Granville Health System.)
