Chronic diseases are a major cause of death and disability in North Carolina, with as much as 50% of individual health attributed to behavior alone. While individual responsibility for one’s health is essential, working at home and in your community to remove barriers to healthy eating, active living, and tobacco free environments will make healthy living easier.
Transforming Health Together in partnership with the CTG Project allows communities to identify their most vital needs and invest in evidence-based approached that can produce sustainable outcomes. We are working community by community to increase access to fresh produce and safe activity spaces, by creating or enhancing farmers markets and forming joint-use agreements, in an effort to help community members meet physical activity and dietary recommendations.
The project is designed to utilize evidence-based approaches, resulting in sustainable outcomes. Transforming Health Together is collaborating with local Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) to link primary care providers with existing community resources to address hypertension, cholesterol, tobacco use and weight loss. This approach will increase the number of healthcare organizations that offer support for individuals with risk factors for chronic disease, making the community a healthier place to live, work, and play!
What can you do to improve the health of your community? Join us by Transforming Health Together, and help make the healthy choice the easy choice! Here is how you can start:
- Buy fresh, nutritious food at your local farmers market! Food that is grown and produced locally is healthier for you and purchasing it supports your local economy. To find a local farmers market or roadside stand near you click here!
- Play and exercise in your local park! Adults need at least 30 minutes of exercise and children need at lease 60 minutes of exercise per day.
- Make a commitment to quit today! Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in North Carolina. Quitting makes life healthier for yourself and others affected by secondhand smoke. Ready to quit? Call the Quitline today 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or visit QuitlineNC.
- Visit your doctor! Take charge of your health by making choices that can prevent future sickness. This includes managing your weight and getting regular check-ups by a doctor.
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