REGION 2020: HEALTH and WELLNESS
WHAT
• To develop a region that provides
accessible, quality, coordinated, community-based health care (including
health promotion and disease prevention) that meets
the needs of all individuals regardless of economic circumstances.
WHY
• To improve the overall health of the community.
• To improve the quality of life for individuals.
• To lower medical costs for both individuals and the community.
• To reduce loss of productivity from employee illness.
• To promote more efficient utilization of financial and other resources.
• To increase communication about health resources and problems.
• To improve access to and consumer use of health resources.
• To promote a more efficient, systematic, structured, focused approach to
health problems.
WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED
• The health officers/administrators of the twelve county region
• Regional hospital association representatives
• Medical Association presidents
• Pediatric Society presidents
• Dental Society presidents Emergency medical services representatives
• Transportation coordinators
• Chambers of commerce
• County health councils
• A diverse representation of consumers
• Volunteer health organizations
• United Way agencies
• Insurers
• Government agencies (Children's Rehabilitation Services,
• Mental Health, Department of Human Resources, etc.)
• The University of Alabama at Binningham School of Public Health
• Regional planning commissions
• Schools (K-l2)
• Civic organizations
WHO WILL BENEFIT
• Consumers, especially children, indigents and their caregivers
• Taxpayers
• Employers
• Employees
• Insurers
• Educators
• Health care providers
• Nonprofit health agencies
HOW
Strategy
Create and support a regional health care council and develop a Health
and Wellness Plan that addresses major health issues in the region,
creates healthier communities, maximizes existing financial resources
for community
health,
and allocates new resources for health care education and promotion
of a
healthier lifestyle.
The Health and Wellness Plan should include:
l. A health education curriculum for grades K-12 that teaches exercise,
nutrition, personal responsibility, and other basic health information.
2. A community education program outlining available health care
resources.
3. A community-based health care delivery system that provides
private, confidential, quality care for everyone in the region
(e.g. indigent
care, mental health,
etc.) and includes the use of mobile health units to bring
affordable care to places where people live and work (i.e. schools, childcare
centers, housing projects, and rural areas).
Steps
Region 2020 will convene a Community Health and Wellness Board.
The Board will include the Governor, the State Health Officer,
a business
chief
executive officer from the state level, hospital chief executive
officers, legislative
representatives, and funding resources to endorse the strategy
and act as a catalyst for the initiative. The Board will
appoint a Steering
Committee whose membership will be drawn from the "Who Should Be Involved" list
(see above).
The Steering Committee will:
1. Direct initial marketing/promotion to the general community.
2. Develop a process, strategies, and measurable out-comes.
3. Raise funds for the development of the plan.
4. Hire staff to assess needs and resources.
5. Provide direction and oversight to committees and staff
in the development of the plan.
6. Develop the Health and Wellness Plan.
Together the Steering Committee and the Community Health
and Wellness Board will determine the long-term governance
and
organizational structure of
a regional health care council to implement the Health
and Wellness Plan.
Role of Region 2020
• To convene the Community Health and Wellness Board.
• To assist in the development of a Steering Committee.
• To support the initiative and build awareness in
the community.
Cost
$550,000 annually, based on the Seattle, Washington
and Brovard County, Florida initiatives
Further Information
See the Workgroup report for additional information
on similar initiatives in other locations.
