Health promotion programs have long focused on education about personal health behaviors like tobacco and alcohol use, diet, physical activity, and sleep. Personal behaviors have an important role in health, but they are not the whole story. The conditions in which people live, work, learn, and play have an even greater influence on one’s quantity and quality of life. To improve the health of people and communities, we need to have conversations about the variety of factors that influence health and then generate ideas for action.

The Northeast Area Family and Consumer Science Agents collaborated to deliver three leadership lessons to Area Homemaker Members. The lesson topics included “Understanding Suicide,” “Addiction 101,” and “Pathways to Wellness.”

Pike County Family and Consumer Science Agent conducted the Pathways to Wellness Lesson. Twenty people attended a “Pathways to Wellness” session in September 2024. This program provided an opportunity to explore and discuss the impact of community on health. Of those surveyed after the program, 100% reported the ability to identify multiple dimensions of health and wellness. 100% of people also reported the ability to name factors other than personal behavior that influence the health of individuals and communities. Additionally, 95% indicated they can discuss ideas for how a community can promote health for all people. As a result of this program, 78% said they plan to change how they think and talk about health, and 100% plan to share what they learned with family, friends, neighbors, or other community members. Furthermore, participants will disseminate the information to their respective homemaker clubs, thereby extending the impact of the lesson.  One participant commented “It broadened my idea of health and how many things factor into our health”.