Neighborhood Health Status Improvement
People's daily lives affect their health in countless
ways — from the sense of safety and connection to neighbors, to the availability
of healthy food, to access to green space and fresh air. And when neighborhoods
are inspired to improve from the inside out by building on their strengths
rather than dwelling on needs, they can realize improved physical, social and
economic health. This is the premise of the Neighborhood Health Status
Improvement initiative. GRHF Grant funding supports grassroots efforts to improve
the health of people living in neighborhoods challenged by poverty and
environmental factors. Following a year-long assessment of their neighborhood,
each grantee brought together residents to implement locally based plans
developed by the neighborhood itself — each one with a vision for a healthier
future built on the assets they already have in their community. This GRHF
initiative was developed with the support of the Asset-Based Community
Development (ABCD) Institute at Northwestern University's School of Education
and Social Policy.