By Jennifer McGohan, public health educator II
(Wampsville, NY – Jan. 16, 2014) The New Year is here! Have you thought about your resolutions to make this year a healthier one? Are you worried about your blood pressure? It may be time to see your doctor for a physical. Are you worried about the extra weight you put on last year? Maybe you have resolved to join a gym or eat healthier meals cooked with local produce. Maybe you have come up with another great resolution for you or your family. However, what you may not realize is that your personal resolution may already align with a local, countywide Health Improvement Plan for Madison County.
“In the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), the greatest needs for health improvement are identified along with strategies to address them,” said Eric Faisst, Madison County Public Health Director. “Everyone has a role to play from the individual and family level up to the organization and business levels.”
Numerous organizations, agencies, and businesses in Madison County have already committed to work together to address the local health priorities by:
(1) improving chronic disease prevention,
(2) promoting mental health and prevent substance abuse,
(3) promoting healthy infants, children, adolescents, and women,
(4) promoting access to primary, preventative, and long-term healthcare services, and
(5) promoting healthy and safe environments.
High blood pressure equals chronic disease. Chronic disease is an area your community is working on. Go online and look at the CHIP “flipbook”. Read about the issues and strategies identified to improve health locally, because you can help! This community plan is for your community, your school, your workplace, your club, your neighborhood, and YOUR family.
The solution to a healthier community begins with YOU—thinking and acting locally.
Do you belong to a group or club? Develop a policy to promote healthy fundraising. Scrap that candy fundraiser to sell fresh oranges. Are you a local business? Develop an internal policy that works to promote employee health by preventing chronic disease through a workplace wellness program.
Everyone has a role to play, big or small! Where will you start? Make your resolution a healthy one.
View the 2014-2017 Community Health Improvement Plan “flipbook” for Madison County at http://www.healthymadisoncounty.org/data/cha/cha2013/index.htm