New Albany Receives Statewide Recognition for Advancing Healthy Population

The City of New Albany was recognized as one of two cities to receive top honors and designations in the state of Ohio’s Healthy Community Award presented by the Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) Bureau of Creating Healthy Communities. The award is based on different health concerns a city must address to be acknowledged and New Albany received recognition in four out of five health areas required by (ODH). No city in Ohio received recognition in all five areas.

The health areas in which New Albany was acknowledged by the state include access to dealing with chronic disease, embracing healthy eating and active living, and general community activity. There were only sixteen communities statewide honored with a Healthy Community Award and only two that met the designations in four areas.

Creating Healthy Communities is committed to establishing a statewide culture of health by preventing and reducing chronic disease within Ohio’s various cities; activating communities to improve access to healthy food and the affordability of healthy food choices; increasing opportunities for physical activity, and assuring tobacco-free living where Ohioans live, work and play.

Much like Creating Healthy Communities vision statewide, Healthy New Albany (HNA) is a local not-for-profit whose mission is to create a culture of health. This mission embraces healthy living through community activities, events and personalized wellness and disease prevention programs. Healthy New Albany, which is organized and managed by a small group of individuals and a larger group of community volunteers, holds offices at the Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany.  It was HNA who spearheaded New Albany’s application for the Healthy Community Award.

“I’m excited for what the award represents for our city. The award was based on objective criteria and quantifiable results recognizing New Albany as a leader in health initiatives,” said Dr. Phil Heit, director of Healthy New Albany. “Our organization offers multiple community wellness programs at the Heit Center, along with exceptional fitness and world class medical experts available to help community members set and meet appropriate long-term health goals.”

Stop in at the Heit Center or go to www.heitcenter.com or www.healthynewalbany.org to learn more about the award and the community programs coordinated by Healthy New Albany.