PORTLAND, Ore. (December 2, 2014)––Governor John Kitzhaber's 2015 budget includes $1 million for Community Transformation through Oregon Healthiest State, furthering the commitment he made to the movement at its launch last month. Together with leadership funding committed by Cambia Health Foundation, the State's investment will help communities across the state make changes that support health and increase health equity.
“As Oregonians, we must not accept the current reality: that a person’s ZIP code has more influence on their health than does their weight or their cholesterol,” said Governor Kitzhaber. “The Oregon Healthiest State Initiative is about creating a culture of health where every Oregonian—regardless of where they live—has the tools, resources and environment they need to get healthy, and stay healthy.”
Oregon Healthiest State is a cross-sector movement dedicated to improving health and health equity for all Oregonians. One of its main strategies for change is the Community Transformation Initiative, which will support local communities to adapt their infrastructure, practices and policies for health and wellbeing. Increasing evidence shows that when organizations throughout a community surround their people with accessible, affordable healthy options, the health of the entire population improves.
Participating communities will identify their needs and work together to make changes. For example, they might expand biking and walking trails; increase parks and green spaces; offer healthier items in restaurants and grocery stores; create workplace wellness programs; eliminate junk food and boost physical activity in schools; increase opportunities for connections and relationships; help people work toward financial security, provide more mental health and social support; and more.
“We’re here to help communities accelerate their journey to health and wellbeing,” said Katie McClure, executive director of Oregon Healthiest State. “Our job is to bring added momentum and ready-to-use tools for schools, restaurants, grocery stores, worksites and other entities interested in transforming their environments to support better health. We’ll help communities connect leaders and leverage resources. And we’ll offer information every Oregonian can use to make their home and life healthier.”
This work will be guided by a Community Transformation Workgroup with participants from across the state, representing the diversity of Oregon’s communities. Expertise, tools and resources will be coordinated by Oregon Healthiest State and delivered by a team that includes Oregon Public Health Institute, Blue Zones Project by Healthways and other proven, evidence-based programs.
Cambia Health Foundation is the lead funder of Community Transformation. To encourage other funders to get involved, it pledged to match $2.00 for every $1.00 donated by other businesses and individuals, up to a maximum contribution of $3.5 million. New Seasons Market was the first to participate under the match with a $25,000 contribution.
More information and details will be available soon at ORHealthiestState.org.
About Oregon Healthiest State
More than 70 percent of our health is influenced by our behaviors and surroundings, while just 30 percent is influenced by genetics and access to health care. That 70 percent is where Oregon Healthiest State focuses its attention. This cross-sector, statewide movement addresses health and wellbeing on all levels—physical, mental, emotional, social, financial and sense of purpose. It will work statewide through initiatives that align allies and resources to take on the state’s most pressing health issues; and at the local level through programs to help communities make healthy options abundant for everyone. With input and leadership from across the state, dedicated staffing, and leadership funding from Cambia Health Foundation and others, Oregon Healthiest State’s work will benefit all Oregonians, with a particular focus on reducing health disparities and inequities and advancing racial justice through health. Oregon Healthiest State’s goal is that by 2020, Oregonians are healthy, health equity increases, and Oregon is the healthiest state. For more information, visit ORhealthieststate.org.
Contact: Lee Collinge at [email protected] or 503-517-3739
