Community Stories

Health improvement efforts from around the country

Where everyone chips in to improve health: How United Way of Greater Lafayette helps channel community assets

February 17, 2015

Fundraising can certainly be a challenge for community health improvement efforts, but in Tippecanoe County, IN, an interconnection of resources has proven to be...

St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition Connects Residents with Healthy Options

August 1, 2014

After a community needs assessment revealed that St. Louis should be focused on reducing obesity, weight management, physical activity, access to health food, and...

A Farmers Market on the Move in North Carolina

November 26, 2013

Many people in Rowan County, N.C., don’t have access to healthy foods – so Jon Barber, a local food advocate and farmers market owner...

Part III: Collaborating to Improve Community Safety in Genesee County, Michigan

December 6, 2012

Public safety is an important component of every community’s overall health. In Flint, MI, located in Genesee County, the violent crime rate is over...

Fostering a Culture of Health and Wellness in Hernando, Miss.

April 3, 2012

The 2011 County Health Rankings classified Desoto County as the healthiest county in Mississippi for health outcomes and the fifth-healthiest county for health factors...

McDowell County: Community Health Center Takes Extra Step to Keep West Virginia Patients Healthy and Active

October 19, 2011

West Virginia has one of the highest obesity rates in the country and McDowell County is no exception, where more than a third of...

Fostering Wellness Among Youth in Madison County, Tennessee

March 25, 2011

When the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce first decided to get involved with improving health and wellness in Madison County, Tennessee, officials weren’t sure...

Part II: Collaborating to Improve Health Behaviors in Genesee County, Michigan

March 21, 2011

In an April 2011 Rankings in Action webinar, Kirk Smith, president and CEO of the Greater Flint Health Coalition (GFHC) commented that the 2011...

How Washington County, Wisconsin Residents Stay Healthy

March 20, 2011

Washington County is one of the healthiest places to live in the state of Wisconsin and County Health Director Linda Walter wants to keep...

Focusing on Unhealthy Behaviors in Muskegon County, Michigan

January 20, 2011

When the 2010 County Health Rankings were released, Muskegon County’s Healthy on the Shore coalition was already in the planning stages. But the information...