The Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease within the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Public Health recently recognized seven communities with the new Healthy People Healthy Places designation.
The Healthy People Healthy Places program celebrates communities committed to supporting healthy choices. The City of Martinsburg was named a gold-level awardee along with Greenbriar County, Mingo County, City of West Hamlin, and Wirt County. Silver-level awardees included the City of Huntington and the City of Wheeling.
“These inaugural awards resulted from key stakeholders coming together to put forth a strong plan to address obesity after the 2018 Southern Obesity Summit that took place in Charleston,” Jessica Wright, HPCD director, said. “Our goal is to recognize good work going on in communities that truly supports health as a social and cultural norm.
The City of Martinsburg was chosen as a gold-level awardee because of the collaborative efforts being done by Healthy Berkeley. Healthy Berkeley is a community collaborative led by WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Centerand includes various community organizations and residents.
“These exemplary communities are encouraging residents and visitors to eat better, be more active, and discourage the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes,” Dr. Cathy Slemp, state health officer and commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Public Health, said. ”Communities that aim to achieve Healthy People Healthy Places program benchmarks are actively investing in their own future, for we know that health and economic development build off of each other.”
Healthy Berkeley collaborating organizations include Main Street Martinsburg, Hersick+Webster Design, Berkeley/Morgan County Health Department, Berkeley County Schools, the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Library, Burke Street Promise Neighborhood Initiative, Be Well Betterment Counseling Services, and the WVU Extension Service.
Projects have included the Martinsburg Farmers Market, Garden of Promise Community Garden, Truffle Shuffle 5k, Frosty Family Fun Day, Yoga at the Libraries, trail development, and various other projects. Also contributing to the gold-award designation is the Berkeley County Clean Air Ordinance, the Berkeley Medical Center Baby-Friendly Designation and Berkeley County Schools Wellness Policy.
“The Healthy People Healthy Places gold-level designation is a testament to the collective efforts of several organizations working together to create a healthy culture and environment in our community,” Dana DeJarnett, WVU Medicine East health promotion coordinator, said.
Designate Healthy People Healthy Places communities receive signage and other materials to publicize their commitment to policies, programs and practices that promote healthier lifestyle decisions. The program also provides advice and assistance to expand the impact of community efforts.
To learn more about the West Virginia Healthy People Healthy Places program and how to apply for 2121 awards, visit www.wvhealthypeoplehealthyplaces.com.
