Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

NORMAN REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM - Norman, Oklahoma
Healthy Community 

Overview
Normal Regional Health System (NRHS) is a health care system providing a full range of services to residents in south central Oklahoma.  Analyzing data from community health assessments in 2004, NRHS leaders identified four primary areas negatively affecting the community’s health status: hypertension, obesity, smoking, and lack of physical activity. 

In 2004, Healthy Community was launched to improve the health of Norman residents in these four areas and to decrease the number of deaths related to cardiovascular disease, raising the state out of the bottom “ten” for health rankings.  Sponsored by NRHS, the coalition is a growing team of businesses, organizations, health care professionals, and individuals who have united to improve the community’s health.  Healthy Community offers health-related interventions and events such as community-wide walking programs, tobacco cessation information, and blood pressure booths at local venues.  Program examples include:

• “Fit Families” teaches the entire family how to live healthier lives by educating them about healthy eating, ideal levels of physical activity, coping with stress, and building self-esteem.  It is based on the concept that involving the entire family creates a supportive environment that encourages all members to become more active and make positive lifestyle changes.  Families are invited to join the program if a child in the family between ages 5 and 11 has a Body Mass Index (BMI) health screening at school and is identified as being overweight or at risk for becoming overweight.  Physicians also may refer families to the program.
  
• “Heart and Sole” is an annual, community-wide six-week walking program aimed at getting people moving toward better health.  This program offers a healthy competition between families, as well as businesses and community group activities to get moving and active.  Awards, prizes, and public recognition of the top walkers are part of the program.
  
• “Walk ’n Talks” are monthly walks with Norman’s mayor, that provide a great opportunity for participants to talk with the mayor, learn more about Norman, meet other community members, and take a scenic walk.  This past year, “Bike and Talks” have been added to increase community awareness regarding bicycle safety.  “Ruby,” a shiny red bike, has made her way around the community to highlight the monthly rides and Bike and Hike to Work Week.
  
• “Healthy Business Academy” offers a two-prong strategy: practical employee wellness program training and Certified Healthy Business application guidance.
  
• This past year, a new program, “Healthy Eating on a Budget,” debuted at a local grocery store.  This program offers a grocery store tour to teach participants how to pick healthy and budget-friendly foods and prepare a week’s worth of menus. 

A consumer Web site with health and wellness resources also is available. 

Impact
By setting quantifiable goals in each area, Healthy Community accurately measures the coalition’s effectiveness.  From 2004 to 2006, each area showed at least a 2 percent improvement.  To date, Healthy Community has served more than 20,000 Oklahoma residents. 

Challenges/success factors
Sixty-three percent of the Norman community is overweight.  Changing lifestyle behaviors is very difficult.  In addition, the community is not diverse, which makes receiving grant money harder.  To address these challenges, Healthy Community has developed a network of community partners who have the same goals and continue to build relationships with community stakeholders and champions. 

Future direction/sustainability
Healthy Community leaders will continue to strengthen and build the coalition, focusing on system changes such as advocacy for additional bike paths and walking trails, designation as a Bicycle Friendly Community, access to fresh fruits and vegetables, increase in the number of Certified Healthy Businesses, and reduction in the number of tobacco users in the regional community.

 Coalition leaders set the following goals for 2008: 

• Hypertension – Increase the number of blood pressure screenings to 99 percent.
  
• Obesity/Overweight – Decrease the percentage of obese people to 22 percent and the percentage of overweight people to 32 percent.
  
• Smoking – Decrease the number of smokers to 16 percent.
  
• Lack of physical exercise – Decrease the number of residents with no leisure time activity to 13 percent.

Results are tracked through community health assessments every two years. 

Advice to others
Conduct a community needs assessment to ensure you are targeting the right areas and to help obtain leadership buy-in.  Leadership support is crucial to success. 

Contact: Amber Browning
Manager, Health Promotion/Chair, Healthy Community Coalition
Telephone: (405) 307-3177
E-mail: abrowning@nrh-ok.com