Governor Congratulates Buncombe & Durham Counties for National Culture of Health Prize | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Press Release:

Says Counties are "Health Trailblazers" in Building a Culture of Health

    Raleigh, NC - Governor Pat McCrory congratulated Buncombe County and Durham County today for being two of six winners of the RWJF Culture of Health Prize awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The two counties were selected from more than 250 applicants across the country. Each will receive a cash prize of $25,000 in recognition of their commitment to building a "culture of health."

    "I am proud of these counties for their pioneering work in promoting the common good in North Carolina through public health initiatives," Governor McCrory said. "The programs established to support these efforts have produced results clearly worthy of national recognition."

    Buncombe County is being recognized for its work to help people live healthier lives through the many efforts its Public Health Advisory Council has coordinated. The council includes health care professionals, the YMCA of Western North Carolina and various other community leaders. Programs include the Innovative Approaches project, an initiative focused on bringing pediatricians, parents and support agencies together to improve quality of care for children with special health care needs.

    Durham County is being lauded for the steps it has taken to encourage a culture of health. The Partnership for a Healthy Durham, which has more than 500 members, gathers to address the health and well-being of Durham's residents. One of its initiatives, Project Access, enlisted 700 volunteer clinicians who served at least 4,340 patients through hospitals, laboratories and more over the past four years.

    The awards were announced today at the Aspen Ideas Festival Spotlight: Health.

    "On behalf of DHHS, I extend my congratulations to Buncombe and Durham counties for this impressive achievement," said DHHS Secretary Aldona Wos. "These public health initiatives not only serve to build a culture of health, but they also serve as models for every community in our state."

    Representatives from Buncombe County and Durham County were on hand to accept the award from RWJF President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey.

    "We are pleased to have been chosen as a RWJF Culture of Health Prize community," said Gibbie Harris, health director, Buncombe County Health and Human Services. "This work celebrates numerous cross-sectored, public/private partnerships and innovative community efforts to improve the health of our residents."

    "Our community has worked tirelessly and collaboratively for many years to improve health in Durham County and now, our efforts are now being recognized on a national level," said Gayle B. Harris, Durham County public health director. "As a lifelong resident of Durham, this is truly a monumental achievement and every resident, regardless of whether they live in the city or county, should be proud of. As we continue to work together as 'One Durham,' there is no health disparity that we can't overcome."

    The RWJF Culture of Health prize winners excelled in six criteria:

• Harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members.
• Working strategically across the multiple factors that influence health.
• Addressing problems that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
• Developing sustainable, long-term solutions to shared community priorities.
• Leveraging and maximizing resources.
• Measuring and sharing results.

    The RWJF Culture of Health Prize is awarded annually. Communities throughout North Carolina may learn more and apply at www.rwjf.org/cohprize. The deadline for phase 1 applications is September 17, 2014.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov