Countywide Health Initiative holds the KEY to good health 

 

Carthage, IL – March 23, 2022 – Hancock County will soon be seeing keys everywhere. A committee representing a number of Hancock County businesses has been formed with the goal of helping all Hancock County residents attain better health. This committee is called KEY, which stands for Keep Encouraging Yourself to good health. 

 

In 2019, the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) presented information on a healthcare study in New Ulm, Minnesota, that intrigued Memorial Hospital CEO Ada Bair. The program was called The Hearts Beat Back: The Heart of New Ulm Project. A core group of individuals representing numerous businesses, organizations, and the healthcare industry in New Ulm came together to create a community-driven initiative. Their goal consisted of achieving the Triple Aim of healthcare: experience better care, improve health across the population, and lower the costs of care. As part of a research project with the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, New Ulm Medical Center, and Allina Health, The Heart of New Ulm Project has created the gold standard model for an effective, successful community health initiative. 

 

With the hopes of incorporating a similar community initiative in Hancock County and after receiving an ICAHN grant that will help guide the initiative, a steering committee was assembled in 2020. Due to Covid, the team was met with a delayed start. At the end of 2021, a reorganized group of individuals representing Carthage Veterinary Services & Professional Swine Management (CVS/PSM), the Hancock County Health Department, the Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Memorial Hospital, Memorial Hospital Foundation, MORE Medical Supplies, Carthage Parks and Recreation, and the Carthage Elementary School District came together for planning purposes. The committee is excited to announce that on March 26, 2022, they will officially launch KEY to the public.  

 

Joseph Goetz, Controller, Professional Swine Management, said yes to serving on the KEY committee after reviewing the impressive data of the New Ulm research project. “New Ulm’s success in promoting health and wellness is inspiring, and as an accountant, it is great to see the data behind their success. The transformation that the community of New Ulm had is inspiring, and it is my hope that we can promote that same culture of wellness here in Hancock County.” 

The mission statement of KEY reads as follows: “Encourage healthy lifestyles to prevent and reduce chronic disease through community engagement and support. Embrace physical, social, and mental wellness through screenings, education, and experiences to improve health outcomes together.”  Goals for KEY include implementing healthy KEY codes at restaurants, sharing links to healthy recipes, tips, and ideas for additional movement, and improving the infrastructure for safe cycling and walking in our Hancock County communities. A major benefit of improving the population health of the community is an enhanced quality of life. When asked why KEY is an important endeavor, Melita Finney, Community Health Director at the Hancock County Health Department stated “Life is busy and we all need extra support and encouragement, especially if it is something we are trying to build on and make a part of our daily routine.” KEY is being piloted in Carthage throughout 2022. Several committee members will be on the Carthage square with health information during the Hop Around the Block event. Watch for sandwich boards with QR codes linking you to better health. 

 

The KEY committee wants the residents of Hancock County to be involved in this effort. The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in 2021 highlighted cancer, mental health issues, and the need and desire for overall better health as three areas with which most residents are concerned. KEY recognizes that small, consistent changes lead to sustainable health improvements. The intent of KEY is to introduce simple yet effective approaches to life which will lead to healthier lifestyles. KEY wants to educate you to make the best choice for your health! 

 

Action teams will be created as KEY development plans evolve. KEY needs enthusiastic community members to help implement these programs. If you have a desire to improve your health, or if you have ideas that might work in any of your communities, please reach out to Ashlyn Housewright at keytogoodhealth22@gmail.com  for more information. KEY can also be reached on Facebook at @keepencouragingyourself. KEY looks forward to creating numerous partnerships across the county as residents find their key to good health. 

 

#####