eating and active living. “HPHC initiatives prioritize involving community voices in decision-making and planning so public input will help guide every step,” said Robin Cooper, chapter chair of Wholespire Richland County.
This 5-year grant follows an initial one-year investment by The Duke Endowment, during which Wholespire Richland Coalition identified opportunities, priorities, partners and achievable goals in the service area. The 29203 ZIP code area in Richland County will be the initial focus area because it faces significant health disparities, with high rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and obesity.
As the lead applicant for the grant, Prisma Health will serve as executive leadership and fiduciary for this initiative.
In addition to financial support, the Coalition will receive technical assistance and resources from the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA), South Carolina Office of Rural Health and several other partners. The combined efforts are designed to create sustainable local initiatives that develop partnerships and additional financial support in the future. Anthony Jackson, Prisma Health vice president for business development and community relations, said, “Prisma Health’s role in community health extends far beyond our hospital walls and our local partners help make this possible. We are excited to continue working with Wholespire Richland Coalition. Actively fostering diverse and inclusive partnerships make futures brighter for residents who have faced barriers. All the partners are committed to improving health equity and quality of life where disparities exist in our community.”
According to America’s Health Rankings, the longestrunning state-by-state analysis of the nation’s health, South Carolina ranks 41st among all states when it comes to the overall health of its residents, with physical activity and food insecurity as major areas of opportunity.
This initiative in Richland County is a comprehensive effort closely aligned with Prisma Health’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Focused on
addressing key health concerns identified in the CHNA – mental health, overweight and obesity, and heart disease and stroke — this initiative leverages insights to develop targeted programs.
Community feedback will help determine up to five program priorities that will be achieved with the support and expertise of local partners such as schools, churches, FoodShare, SC Thrive, GoNoodle, City of Columbia, S.C. Department of Transportation, and S.C. Department of Public Health.
“This new cohort of coalitions represents a major opportunity to address healthy behaviors and other factors that influence health and health outcomes in local communities,” said Chris Collins, associate director of health care at The Duke Endowment. “Wholespire Richland Coalition is wellprepared to make lasting policy, systems, and environmental changes that will help community members for decades to come.”
The Duke Endowment launched its Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas initiative in 2015 to help communities in North Carolina and South Carolina address chronic health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The program has evolved to support coalitions in upstream interventions and embedding community voice and equity in decision-making early on.
