Richmond is Finalist for Culture of Health Prize

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.

To learn about the work of the 27 previous Prize winners, visit rwjf.org/prize.