Community Health Efforts Recognized as Quad Cities Advances in Prize Selection Process
The Quad Cities region was chosen today as a finalist for the third annual RWJF Culture of Health Prize. As a finalist, the Quad Cities is one step closer to the RWJF Culture of Health Prize which honors communities whose efforts illustrate an enduring commitment toward building a Culture of Health for all residents.
Selected from more than 340 communities across the country, the Quad Cities joins 14 other finalist communities. Winners will be announced this fall.
"We are very pleased to have advanced as a RWJF Culture of Health Prize finalist community. This is a wonderful recognition of the cross-sector collaborative efforts that have contributed to creating a healthier community," said Karla Steele, Quad City Health Initiative Board Chair. "For more than fifteen years, the Quad Cities has been on a journey that engages partners from healthcare, public health, education, government, business and philanthropy to improve the vitality of the Quad Cities. Participating in the Prize process has been an opportunity to celebrate our community's progress and partnerships."
To earn Prize finalist status, the Quad Cities had to demonstrate how its efforts to improve health outcomes for residents reflect the six RWJF Culture of Health Prize criteria, which include :
- Defining health in the broadest possible terms.
- Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions.
- Cultivating a shared and deeply-held belief in the importance of equal opportunity for health.
- Harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members.
- Securing and making the most of available resources.
- Measuring and sharing progress and results.
"The RWJF Culture of Health Prize finalists are transforming their communities to make them healthier places to raise a family, provide jobs, and educate their children," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, RWJF president and CEO. "These inspiring finalists are one step closer to being named 2015 Prize winners this fall."
The RWJF Culture of Health Prize is one pillar of the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The Rankings show communities where they can improve; the Roadmaps show communities how to take action to expand opportunities for healthier choices, and the Prize honors communities that represent solutions-driven leadership at its finest. Together, these pillars serve as a platform for the Foundation's vision to build a Culture of Health, now and for generations to come. Find out more at www.rwjf.org and www.countyhealthrankings.org.
The Quad Cities' Prize application has been facilitated by the Quad City Health Initiative with support from the following community partner organizations: Achieve Quad Cities, Bi-State Regional Commission, Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, Community Health Care, Eastern Iowa Western Illinois Trauma Informed Care Consortium, Genesis Health System, Quad Cities Alliance for Immigrants & Refugees, Quad Cities Food Hub, Rock Island County Health Department, Scott County Health Department, Two Rivers YMCA, United Way of the Quad Cities Area and UnityPoint Health-Trinity.
The Quad City Health Initiative is a cross-sector community partnership working to create a healthy community. A 25-member community Board oversees the organization, which was established in 1999. The Initiative seeks to be our community's recognized leader for creating collaborative action on health and abides by the core values of commitment, collaboration and creativity. For more information, please call 563-421-2815 or visit our website at www.qchealthinitiative.org.
###
