Chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, are visible through out our whole community. Chronic diseases are often preventable and frequently manageable1.
1 in 3 Virginians tested positive in a pre-diabetes screening 2
The average cost to manage & treat diabetes is $15,000 per person per year in Virginia 3
Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States of America 4
Preventable Hospitalization Rate By Race in the BRHD Localities 5
Social Determinants of Health
Social Determinants of Health, also referred to as SDOH, are defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as “conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks”6.
10.9% of respondents consume the daily recommended amount of fruit each day8
7.6% of respondents consume the daily recommended amount of vegetables each day9
Note: the recommended amount of fruit to be consumed each day is 1.5- 2 cups. The recommended amount of vegetables to be consumed each day is 2-3 cups.
The coalition repurposed CATCH funds that were unable to be used during the COVID-19 pandemic to create over 400 activity kits to distribute to K-5th graders.
The Healthy Food Systems Action Team of Move2Health Equity is acting in the dual function of the Blue Ridge Hunger Action Coalition as part of the Governor’s Food Security Initiative outlined in the Virginia Roadmap to End Hunger. The core strategies for building a hunger free Virginia outlined in the Roadmap are included below.
Mission: Support a just and local food system that builds equity.
Vision: We envision a strong community with vibrant farms, well-nourished people, a thriving food economy, and responsible land stewardship.
Cooking classes lead by Bread and Roses
We advocate for:
Public and private policies and practices that incentivize equitable local food production and distribution including urban and rural farming/agriculture and community gardens.
Public and private policies and practices that incentivize equitable, affordable healthy food retail and support farmer’s markets and fresh food outlets.
Restaurants, convenience stores and grocery stores that provide healthy, fresh and culturally diverse food at an affordable price.
Education on what healthy eating looks like, including but not limited to cooking classes, grocery store tours, easy, affordable and healthy meal ideas, as well as access to tools and resources needed to prepare healthy foods.
Safe, dignified, and fairly compensated food sector jobs where the rights of workers are protected.
Responsible and equitable land stewardship that facilitates resiliency in the face of climate change.
Food sovereignty for all.
NEW! Food Security Text Line
The program provides information on 35+ available food pantries and other food resources in Charlottesville and in surrounding counties, including Albemarle, Augusta, Greene, Buckingham, Louisa, Fluvanna, and Nelson.
Residents can text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to (844) 947-6518 to receive information about food resources available near their current zip code. Information is available in English and Spanish. For more information and a full report head here.
Move2Health Equity Coalition received the CATCH grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth. Through the grant we were able to teach nutrition and healthy eating to pre-k to 5th graders in the area!
For 25 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) program has supported pediatricians in collaborating within their communities to advance the health of all children. CATCH grants support pediatric residents and pediatricians in planning or implementing community-based child health initiatives. The CATCH program has provided almost 10 million dollars through 842 planning, 585 resident, and 305 implementation grants to >1700 pediatricians.1
The Community Photovoice Project was sponsored by Move2Health Equity as a pilot project with a Teen Health Spring Break Camp. The Community Photovoice Project became part of the Blue Ridge Health District’s MAPP2Health Supplemental Report later in 2019.
The photos below are from community members that participated in the project. Participants were asked to take photos that represented: assets, well-being, and resilience in their communities.
For more information about the Photovoice Project head to page 58 of the 2019 MAPP2Health Report.
