TNIPH Awarded Population Health Institute Grant

The Tennessee Institute of Public Health at the East Tennessee State University College of Public Health has been awarded a grant by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute to showcase successful community-based programs that have been supported by the Institute.   Projects will be showcased that are especially successful at building partnerships and changing local health conditions.  

Every year, the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute releases the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a report that ranks all of the counties in each state for a range of health and social statistics.  The Tennessee Institute of Public Health has been a long-standing collaborator with the Population Health Institute, helping to inform and engage local community leaders, and others, to address each country’s health challenges.  

Executive Director Ginny Kidwell states, “It is an honor to share a long-standing partnership with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and to be able to recognize and celebrate the success of so many of our regional partners.” 

This series is designed to engage multi-sector local leadership and stakeholders in discussions about best practices to promote community action to address unique health challenges. The primary objective is to familiarize key leaders from the healthcare, education, economic development, public health, business, government and other sectors with how the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps can be used as a tool for developing action plans to implement effective health-related policies. 

The Institute will work with the Tennessee Department of Health, the Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness, and other state, regional and local partners to produce, host, and facilitate a series of events that will draw attention to the County Health Rankings and recognize organizations that have been successful in addressing health challenges in the past. Events will take place in early 2017 following the annual statewide release of the County Health Rankings and TNIPH’s annual Legislative Breakfast in Nashville. 

Ms. Kidwell concludes, “The Rankings provide an excellent opportunity for community leaders and elected officials to engage in conversations about health and its role in economic and community development.”