Community Stories

Health improvement efforts from around the country

How data can inspire a community: Starke County, IN

December 12, 2016

Starke County, Indiana, is a rural county that is home to 23,197 people. Despite Starke County’s small size, it’s also a community that is...

United Way-Led Initiative in Chittenden County, Vermont Strengthens Local Workforce

June 15, 2015

The County Health Rankings shows us that there are a web of factors that influence health including education, housing, the environment, and the availability...

In Utah, United Way Makes Strong Link Between Education and Health

February 10, 2015

Education is a key component to health – we know that better educated individuals live longer, healthier lives than those with less education, and...

Changing the Trajectory of High-needs Families: United Way of Central Ohio

February 5, 2015

The County Health Rankings are based on a model of population health that emphasizes the many factors that, if improved, can help make communities...

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey: Multiple Approaches to Building a Culture of Health

February 2, 2015

According to the 2014 County Health Rankings, Camden County ranked 17th out of 21 counties in New Jersey. United Way of Greater Philadelphia and...

Efforts to Improve Pregnancy Outcomes by the Midwest Business Group on Health

June 9, 2014

The Midwest Business Group on Health (MBGH), based in Chicago, is raising awareness about the importance of full term births and best practices for...

PBS Documentary Tells Violence Interrupters’ Story

February 21, 2014

In 1995, epidemiologist Gary Slutkin founded Cure Violence, formerly called Ceasefire. Dr. Slutkin believes that violence should be treated like an epidemic, and can...

Making Changes by Focusing on What Works

November 26, 2013

For county health officers, sometimes raising awareness isn’t enough. To make lasting change, focusing on programs and initiatives that are proven to be successful...

Connecting the Dots in Fulton County, GA: Working Together to Save Lives

May 10, 2013

According to the 2013 County Health Rankings, Fulton County, Georgia ranks 29 out of 156 on overall health, yet 55,000 adults and 25,000 children...

Mason County, WA: Building a Roadmap to Better Health by Investing in Education

March 17, 2013

In Mason County, WA—which ranked 35 out of 39 counties in the state in the 2012 County Health Rankings—a diverse group of partners has...