Richmond
has been chosen as a finalist for the fifth annual Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize. As a finalist, Richmond is one
step closer to the national prize which honors communities that understand
health is a shared value and everyone has a role to play in driving change.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the nation's largest philanthropy dedicated solely to health. Since 1972, it has supported research and programs targeting pressing health issues from substance abuse to improving access to healthcare. Johnson was a member of the Johnson & Johnson family business and gave his New Jersey employees hardship bonuses during the Great Depression of the 1930s. In 1936, he set up a foundation with company stock to help the indigent.
Selected
from more than 200 communities across the country, Richmond joins 10 other
finalists. Winners will be announced this fall.
“Building
a culture of health in Richmond is not just about physical health, “said
Richmond City Health District Director Dr. Danny Avula. “It’s about safer,
greener neighborhoods, more reliable transportation, cradle to career social
and educational supports, and building hope and agency in communities with high
rates of poverty. Richmond has been working hard to ensure fairer access to
resources for all residents and to become a healthier, more united city, and we
are so pleased to advance as a RWJF Culture of Health Prize finalist
community.”
The
prize is guided by the principle that every community has the potential to
improve and be a healthier place to live and thrive.To earn finalist status,
Richmond had to demonstrate how it excelled in the six Prize criteria:
·
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.
If
selected as a winner, Richmond will be given a $25,000 cash prize and
opportunities to share their story and lessons learned.
