Lancaster County was chosen as a finalist for the third annual (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
RWJF Culture of Health Prize. As a finalist, the county is one step further to the
RWJF Culture of Health Prize, which honors communities whose efforts illustrate an enduring commitment toward building a Culture of Health for all residents.
Selected from more than 340 communities across the country, Lancaster County joins 14 other finalist communities. Winners will be announced this fall.
“We are pleased to have advanced as a
RWJF Culture of Health Prize finalist community. For our community, it is truly an honor to be a finalist for this very prestigious prize,” said Alice Yoder, Director of Community Health for Lancaster General Health System. “Partners from many sections of our community, including businesses, health systems, government, social service organizations and schools are coming together to create an environment that makes it easier for
all people to maintain or improve their health.”
Yoder said LG Health takes a leadership role in establishing countywide coalitions and partnerships that work together on a wide-range of public health issues since Lancaster County does not have a Department of Health. Among them are:
LiveWELL Lancaster County, formerly known as the Lancaster Health Improvement Partnership; Lighten UP Lancaster County; Tobacco Free Coalition; Nurse Family Partnership; Lancaster County Children’s Alliance; and School District of Lancaster.
To earn Prize finalist status, Lancaster County had to demonstrate how its efforts to improve health outcomes for residents reflect the six
RWJF Culture of Health Prize criteria, which include:
- Defining health in the broadest possible terms.
- Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions.
- Cultivating a shared and deeply-held belief in the importance of equal opportunity for health.
- Harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members.
- Securing and making the most of available resources.
- Measuring and sharing progress and results.
“The
RWJF Culture of Health Prize finalists are transforming their communities to make them healthier places to raise a family, provide jobs, and educate their children,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, RWJF president and CEO. “These inspiring finalists are one step closer to being named 2015 Prize winners this fall.”
The
RWJF Culture of Health Prize is one pillar of the
County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The
Rankings show communities where they can improve; the
Roadmaps show communities how to take action to expand opportunities for healthier choices, and the Prize honors communities that represent solutions-driven leadership at its finest. Together, these pillars serve as a platform for the Foundation’s vision to build a Culture of Health, now and for generations to come. Find out more at
www.rwjf.org and
www.countyhealthrankings.org