King's Daughters' Health

A new partnership between King's Daughters' Health and the communities we serve shows that, together, we can tackle our region's biggest health challenges. "Caring for patients when they're sick is critical, but helping our communities take steps toward wellness is the most important thing we can do." – Nadja Boone, BSN, RN, Director of Marketing, Community Relations and Development at King's Daughters' Health KDH'S MOST RECENT community health needs assessment (CHNA), completed last fall, identified several areas of concern for our region. The Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI) of Jefferson County, which launched in March as an alliance between KDH, local schools, businesses, law enforcement and other sectors, is addressing the top six with support from the KDH Foundation. Here's a look at what HCI's three teams are doing. The Substance Abuse Team: Slowing the Cycle of Addiction Addiction is the most significant public health issue in our region, according to the CHNA. To fight it, the Substance Abuse Team is connecting individuals who struggle with drugs and alcohol with mentors who can show them a better path. "We're developing a program that will allow patients to get transportation to and from addiction treatment," says Carri Dirksen, Coordinator of HCI. "We're also working on Mentors for Moms, which will pair new mothers whose babies were born addicted to drugs with experienced mothers who can help them develop better environments in which to prosper." The Zero Suicide Initiative Team: A Guide to Hope For individuals considering suicide, knowing where to turn for help can make a huge difference. The Zero Suicide Initiative Team is developing, and will later implement, a plan to address this issue, which affects far too many people in Jefferson County. The Healthy Lifestyles Team: Kick-Starting Better Health In June, many of you may have participated in the first of several challenges the Healthy Lifestyles Team is hosting to encourage people to quit smoking, move more, lose weight and prevent chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. The 30-day health challenge kicked off with biking, yoga and other wellness opportunities at a launch event along the Ohio River. Throughout the month, participants took at least 10 healthy steps and submitted proof of completion to be eligible to win prizes. For many, the month was, hopefully, the first in a lifetime of putting their wellness first. "Building healthier communities is not something one person or organization can do," Carri says. "It takes everyone." ■ ■ To learn how you can make our region healthier, follow HCI on Facebook or visit www.kdhmadison.org. Problem-Solving Partners in 6 FALL 2017 // www.kdhmadison.org

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