Author: Ronda Rex
Planning Unit: Gallatin County CES
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Plan of Work: Healthy Lifestyles
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
According to CEDIK Data Profile Health Indicators 2022, “the percent obese value in Gallatin County KY is 38%. Healthy eating can help people maintain a healthy weight and reduce their risk of obesity. A healthy diet can also help prevent and manage other chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “people who eat lots of fruits and vegetables have a lower risk of obesity. Fruits and vegetables are important sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, plant protein, and antioxidants. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 also recommend a healthy eating plan that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products.”
According to the Three River’s Health Department, Gallatin County Health Risk Factors 2022, “physical inactivity is a critical factor in the health status of a population. Exercise has been linked to healthy weight and BMI, reduction in various chronic diseases, normal growth and development, better quality of life, and healthy sleep patterns. More than 43% of Gallatin County Residents are inactive.”
The Gallatin County Cooperative Extension Service collaborated with the Gallatin County School Early Childhood Education Coordinator and the school’s Family Resource Center Coordinator to address public health in their community. Collaborators received a Spriit of Public Health Mini-Grant, which focused on health and nutritional wellness with a multi-tiered approach targeting all ages from birth to seniors with five community partners. The five community partners included: the Gallatin County Cooperative Extension Service (Family & Consumer Sciences and 4-H/Youth Development), the Gallatin County Family Resource Center, Gallatin County Early Childhood Education and the Three Rivers Health Department.
The collaborators have made considerable progress since this grant was awarded. They received a Spirit of Public Health Mini-Grant on January 18th and have purchased bowls, utensils, propane, plastic boxes, slow cookers, pots and pan, camp stoves, hot plates, a range hood, stove, fridge, and the hardware and installation. Collaboratively they have had a minimum of 19 specific events/clubs/or activities that have addressed project goals of nutritional wellness, food choices, portion control, and the role food plays on our health and wellness.
The community collaborators worked together and individually on various classes, programs and events throughout the community over a six-month time frame (January—June 2024). During this time, the Gallatin County Cooperative Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Ronda Rex collaborated with the Family Resource Center and the Community Early Childhood Council and hosted the Grand Love Program for 6 months reaching and educating 7 families on health and nutrition. Ronda conducted 5 other Extension programs to assist her collaborators in improving community health. Ronda incorporated a physical activity and mental health component into her programs as well.
The following are ways Extension was able to contribute to the team effort:
Collaboratively the community partners plan to continue serving the public of Gallatin County by providing engaging events/clubs/and projects for all age demographics. The partners will keep the project goals at the forefront of their minds and work diligently to help Three Rivers District Health Department reach their Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) goals through various ways of educating our community. This Fall, the Gallatin County Cooperative Extension Family & Consumer Sciences will partner with the Family Resource Center (Grand Love Program) to provide hands-on cooking/baking classes. This is a program called Cooking for a Purpose which is also in collaboration with the Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD).
Impact of the Cooperative Extension programming for the Community Health Collaboration has resulted in:
https://cedik.ca.uky.edu/data_profiles/healthcare
Success Story submitted June 2024
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