Monroe County CES

County Emphasis:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 1:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 2:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Concentration 3:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Situation:

The opportunities and resources available to support the health and well-being of adults and families in Kentucky vary widely. Disparities in health-promoting knowledge, resources, and infrastructure contribute to higher rates of chronic health conditions and lower quality of life. Prevention, early detection, and care are essential to maintain and/or improve quality of life. Yet, this burden is often placed on individuals to navigate the

healthcare system and traditional public health entities. Additionally, for decades, little attention has been given to the external factors that undoubtedly affect health such as access to care, education, nutritious foods, and safe physical spaces. These same issues and concerns were echoed throughout the 2023 UK Cooperative Extension Community Assessment. Within the top 15 priority issues identified by Kentuckians, “ensuring individuals and families have access to affordable nutritious foods” was #4 and “reducing youth obesity through nutrition education and/or exercise” was #8. Guided by the Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity and Well-being, UK Extension aims to become a critical public health partner for addressing disparities in health-promoting knowledge, resources, and infrastructure through comprehensive health, nutrition, and wellness programming that supports adult physical health and well-being.

Youth Focus

Thriving youth are healthy, productive, and engaged (Arnold, 2024). According to Kentucky Kids Count Database (AECF, 2023) 41% of Kentucky teenagers are obese or overweight. Youth are also experiencing alarming levels of negativity about themselves, their confidence in the future, and their ability to find contentment in life (McKinsey & Company, 2022). 30% of youth are chronically absent (United States Department of Education, 2024). The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Needs Assessment (2024) identified key priorities issues related to health and wellbeing as need for improved access to mental health and wellbeing resources, reducing youth obesity through nutrition education and/or exercise, minimizing bullying and/or school violence. To address these issues, Kentucky 4-H creates opportunities for youth in the five domains of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health and well-being.

County Situation:

The 2023 NEP report indicates that 40% of Monroe County's population are obese, and 36% are physically inactive.  The most recent needs assessment shows that Monroe County citizens realize these issues.  According to the survey, access to nutritious foods is a concern.  Substance use prevention and recovery is a priority.  Improved mental health and accessibility to mental health providers are also among the top concern for Monroe County according to the Community Needs Assessment. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Improved quality of life
• Routinely meeting guidelines and recommendations for health behaviors that promote wellness and quality of life
• Individuals report decreased obesity.    
• Increased availability and accessibility to community-based health resources

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family, community, and occupational health and safety
• Individuals will practice general wellness habits
• increase physical activity.

Initial Outcomes:

• Increased knowledge about health-promoting behaviors.
• Increased knowledge and awareness of healthy habits and practices among individuals
• Increased knowledge of general wellness practices

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family and community health (e.g., physical activity, consuming nutritious foods, routine vaccinations and screenings) 

Indicator: 

Number of physical activity minutes recorded by a participant

Number of participants who reported consuming more nutritious foods and/or beverages

Number of participants who reported a change in a health-promoting behavior as a result of participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Self reported surveys 

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time 

Intermediate Outcome: Increased and/or strengthened partnerships to address community health issues

Indicator: Number of community partners (community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals) worked with to offer health and well-being programming in the community 

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming 

Timeline: Ongoing 

Long-term Outcome: Increased organizational/site/community supports for health-promoting behaviors that equitably address community health and safety issues 

Indicator: Number of projects or initiatives working to improve a community health or safety issue 

Method: Documentation (direct observation, photo, repeated survey) or interviews 

Timeline: Ongoing/as changes are made and projects progress 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Families and Individuals 

Project or Activity: Nutrition Education 

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition Education Program, SNAP-Ed toolkit, Publications, Faithful Families, Cook Together Eat Together, Savor the Flavor, Dining with Diabetes, Plate it up! Kentucky Proud, Cook Wild Ky, Food as Health Toolkit, Recovery Garden Toolkit, Family Mealtime, maternal and child health program materials 

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, faith-based organization, health coalitions, healthcare Providers and local clinics, health department, non-profits, schools, company health and wellness, Homemakers, farmers’ markets, local farms/growers/producers, commodity groups, community centers, etc. 

Date: Ongoing 

Audience: Families and Individuals 

Project or Activity: Family & Community Health

Content or Curriculum: Publications, presentations, trainings, demonstrations, Health Bulletins, Pathways to Wellness, resources for early care and education settings, Health Literacy for the Win, Health Family Guides, Healthy Homemakers, Vaccine and on-site clinic opportunities, chronic disease prevention programs and materials, health fairs, hygiene education

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, health coalitions, healthcare providers, health departments, non-profits, faith-based organizations, schools, company health & wellness, community centers, etc. 

Date: Ongoing 

Audience: Families and Individuals 

Project or Activity: Physical, Environmental, and Occupational Safety

Content or Curriculum: Publications, presentations, trainings, demonstrations, In the Face of Disaster, Pest Control Short Course

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, businesses, creative entrepreneurs, local farms/growers/producers, commodity groups, housing authorities

Date: Ongoing 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Increased health-promoting behaviors that support family and community health (e.g., physical activity, consuming nutritious foods, routine vaccinations and screenings) 

Indicator: 

Number of physical activity minutes recorded by a participant

Number of participants who reported consuming more nutritious foods and/or beverages

Number of participants who reported a change in a health-promoting behavior as a result of participating in a health and well-being program

Method: Self reported surveys 

Timeline: Repeated self-reported surveys and/or follow-up evaluations to capture change over time 

Intermediate Outcome: Increased and/or strengthened partnerships to address community health issues

Indicator: Number of community partners (community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals) worked with to offer health and well-being programming in the community 

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming 

Timeline: Ongoing 

Long-term Outcome: Increased organizational/site/community supports for health-promoting behaviors that equitably address community health and safety issues 

Indicator: Number of projects or initiatives working to improve a community health or safety issue 

Method: Documentation (direct observation, photo, repeated survey) or interviews 

Timeline: Ongoing/as changes are made and projects progress