EMBARGOED RELEASE UNTIL		Media Contact: Eric Nickens, Jr. Information and Communications Manager Office: (919) 560-7624 / Cell: (919) 309-6092 enickens@dconc.gov
June 25, 2014 -- 1:00 p.m. EST

DURHAM, N.C. – Durham County is one of six winners of the 2014 RWJF Culture of Health Prize awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). The prize honors communities that are harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners, and stakeholders to help residents live healthier lives. Announced today at the Aspen Ideas Festival Spotlight: Health, Durham County will receive a cash prize of $25,000 in recognition of its commitment to building a Culture of Health.

Durham County is being recognized for its innovative strategies to improve health, including collaboration between organizations to increase access to medical care, coordinated planning to create a healthier environment and a focus on education and poverty in addition to disease as factors that impact health.

As an example, county doctors donate their time through Project Access to improve access to specialty medical services. The Durham County Department of Public Health works with community partners to create neighborhood-based exercise options like Healthy Mile trails and to make healthy food more accessible by working with corner stores, Farmer’s Markets, and community-supported agriculture. The East Durham Children’s Initiative is one of numerous parent, family, and child support programs that promote education among underserved populations. These programs support improved health outcomes (such as decreases in heart disease and cancer mortality).

Our community has worked tirelessly and collaboratively for many years to improve health in Durham County and now, our efforts are now being recognized on a national level,” said Gayle B. Harris, Durham County public health director. “As a lifelong resident of Durham, this is truly a monumental achievement and every resident, regardless of whether they live in the city or county, should be proud of. As we continue to work together as ‘One Durham,’ there is no health disparity that we can’t overcome.”

“The RWJF Culture of Health Prize winners are leading some of the nation’s most innovative efforts to build a national Culture of Health,” said Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, RWJF president and CEO. “These communities are inspiring examples of what is possible when all sectors work together so that every resident has the opportunity to live a long and healthy life.”

Durham County was among six communities selected from more than 250 prize applications across the country. The other winning communities are Brownsville, Texas; Buncombe County, North Carolina; Spokane County, Washington; Taos Pueblo, New Mexico and Williamson, West Virginia. Learn more about the RWJF Culture of Health Prize and watch a video profile of Durham County and the other prize winners at www.dconc.gov/cultureofhealthprize.

Guided by the principle that every community—regardless of health status and resources—has the potential to improve and become healthier, the RWJF Culture of Health Prize honors communities that are setting the standard. The RWJF Culture of Health prize winners excelled in six criteria:

• Harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners and community members.
• Working strategically across the multiple factors that influence health.
• Addressing issues that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
• Developing sustainable, long-term solutions to shared community priorities.
• Leveraging and maximizing resources.
• Measuring and sharing results.

A community event celebrating Durham County’s recognition is planned. Details, including a date and time, will be announced once they are finalized.

The RWJF Culture of Health Prize was launched to further the work of the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHR&R) program, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps help communities understand the many factors that influence health and identify strategies community leaders can take to improve health. Find out more at www.countyhealthrankings.org.

About the Durham County Department of Public Health
Since 1913, the Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) works throughout the Durham community to prevent disease, promote health, and protect the environment. Guided by Durham County Government’s Strategic Plan, the department works to strengthen the well-being of individuals and families through prevention, education, and partnering with community resources. For more information about DCoDPH, visit http://dconc.gov/publichealth, connect with DCoDPH on Facebook, or follow DCoDPH on Twitter.

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
For more than 40 years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve the health and health care of all Americans. We are striving to build a national Culture of Health that will enable all Americans to live longer, healthier lives now and for generations to come. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook.

About the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute
The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute is the focal point within the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health to address questions of what it takes to improve health across the population. The Institute advances health and well-being for all by developing and promoting evidence-informed approaches to policy and practice at the local, state, and national levels. The Institute leads the work on the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps and manages the RWJF Culture of Health Prize. For more information, visit http://uwphi.pophealth.wisc.edu.