Community Collaboration Convergence on Obesity

Prevention

Paula Przywojski, Registered DietitianBlack River Memorial Hospital

Black River Falls, Wisconsin

• Small rural community in West Central Wisconsin consisting of farm and forest land

• Largest city is Black River Falls with a population of 2500 persons. Six small towns/villages, comprise the rest of the county creating a total population of 20,449.

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What Makes Jackson County Unique

• A small population of migrant Hispanic workers and community members are also present within Jackson County as well as Amish.

• Native Americans (primarily Ho-Chunk Nation) comprise 6.2% of the county population and the Ho-Chunk Nation Administrative and Legislative Offices are located within Jackson County.

• High rate of poverty, suicide, obesity and infant mortality

• 65% Overweight and/or Obese

What Makes Jackson County Unique

• Many active community partnerships provide support for a variety of community programs

What Health-enhancing assets are there? Walking/bike trail around perimeter of Black

River Falls Much opportunity for outdoor recreation

duet to natural beauty of area and number of County and State parks

Community support for area parks, pools, and recreation center

Strong community coalition and active community agencies: Lunda Trust, Black River Falls Are Foundation, Hoffman Construction and other area businesses

What health-enhancing assets are there?

Formed in early 2011with support and leadership of Emily Reynolds, MPA Community Outreach Specialist

A Project of the WI Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Sponsoring Partners:- Black River Memorial Hospital- Black River Falls School District- Ho-Chunk Nation- Jackson County Public Health Department- Jackson County– UW-Extension, Cooperative Extension- Together for Jackson County Kids

Jackson in Action Obesity Coalition

Community Gardens will be abundant throughout the county

A farm to School Program would be implemented within each school district and hospital in Jackson County

Communities outside Black River Falls will have access to walking trails

A harvest of the month program will be implemented throughout the county

Healthier restaurant options/choices

Jackson in Action: Vision for a Healthier Jackson County

Vision: Community environments within Jackson County will promote and support healthy Lifestyles

Mission: Promotes healthy lifestyles for children, their families, and the greater community

Long term goal: Decrease the prevalence of obesity by promoting healthy eating and opportunities for physical activity

Baseline: 30.5% of adults aged 20 years and older have a BMI of 30 or greater (2010 CHIP)

Goal: By December 2015, reduce the percentage of obesity to 25%

Received 2 grants: Change Tool and Rural Health Care

Jackson In Action

Partnered with local grocery store to implement and sustain the first Friday of every month from 4-6 pm. Kick-off was March1st !

Support healthy food choices through increased access and consumption of fruits and vegetables

Strive to promote locally grown produce. Tasting samples and recipes provided Goal is to add schools into the monthly

rotation of produce to highlight

Jackson in Action: Harvest of the Month

Partnering with “500 Club” from GundersenLutheran to offer this service to area restaurants.

Current members: Taco John’s, McDonalds, Black River Memorial Hospital Cafeteria

New member: Burnstad’s Grocery Stores Continuing to pursue this with other mostly

independent establishments.

Jackson in Action: Healthy Restaurant choices/eduction

Held on April 8 Goal: Educate community members on

obesity prevention and publicize the work of Jackson in Action.

Screening segments of HBO series, Weight of the Nation with panel discussion of health care providers from local agencies

Taste testing and samples from area 500 club restaurants and healthier options from Black River School District.

Jackson in Action: Building a Healthier Jackson County Event

Bring partners together to create a cohesive Farmer’s Market

Organize and distribute take-home garden plots

Organize 2 Walk with the Docs/health care providers events

Recruit 3 new partners to join Jackson in Action

Coordinate local childhood obesity data.

Goals for 2013

Involved in monthly Diabetes Education and Support Group

Recently completed a 4 week Nutrition 101 series of evening classes that were open to the public-held during March National Nutrition month-great turnout with ~ 70 people at each session

On leadership team of Jackson in Action Obesity Coalition

Black River Memorial Hospital committed to making Jackson County a healthier community to live, work and play!

Community Involvement: RD from Hospital