Natalie Linton Joins CHD's Public Health Department through a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control.
The Center for Human Development, Inc. (CHD) whose mission is ‘working for healthy communities’ provides many important services for the members of Union County, such as veteran’s services, vaccinations, family planning, and individual or group counseling. In addition to these, and other important services, CHD has been working over the past year to develop a community wide plan to help prevent chronic diseases, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Why care about chronic disease in Union County? According to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation roughly 3/4 of all healthcare costs are used to treat chronic disease. Many of these diseases are associated with behaviors such as using tobacco, not eating healthy foods, not exercising, or not effectively managing an existing chronic condition. In other words, behaviors that can be modified through lifestyle changes have a direct impact on ones health. And, interestingly, factors within a community in turn affect lifestyle changes.
Background: In August of 2010 CHD received funding from the state of Oregon to develop a plan to help reduce the burden of chronic disease in Union County. CHD used the Community Health and Group Evaluation tool (CHANGE) developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to focus its efforts. The CHANGE tool was designed specifically to help communities look at policies and environmental factors that help increase access to healthy lifestyle options. For example, sidewalks can make it easier and safer for kids to walk to school. Although it can be argued that we all have an individual responsibility to take charge of our health, there are important community wide changes that can be made to help foster healthier communities. The places where we live, work and play truly also affect our individual and community health.
Community Involvement: Over the past year community members from a variety of backgrounds came together and helped complete the assessment and developed a community action plan. After reviewing all of the information gathered, the Union County Healthy Communities Coalition has set the following priorities: 1. Expanding Access to the Living Well with Chronic Conditions program (a hands-on class which helps participants better manage chronic diseases so they are not as dependent on costly treatments), 2. Working with faith communities and existing coalitions to encourage healthier eating habits and 3. Encouraging worksite wellness policies. The coalition will be implementing the plan over the next three years.
Next Steps for Community Members who want help with individual lifestyle changes, or to be part of community wide efforts: On August first, Natalie Linton, a Center for Disease Control (CDC) Public Health Associate, began her workwith CHD to begin the process of implementing the plan. If you would like more information on any of the plan priority areas, or to find out how to start working toward changing your own lifestyle behaviors, please contact Natalie Linton (541) 962-8836. To read the full report please visit the CHD website at: http://bit.ly/lqxHIM (case sensitive).
Are you a community member who would like to be involved in implementing the plan and steering Union County toward a healthier community? If so, please contact Natalie Linton at (541) 962-8836 or at nlinton@chdinc.org for more information.