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I am pleased to announce that I am now a member of the Georgia Advocacy Committee for the American Heart Association. The Georgia Advocacy Committee is an action-oriented group of advocate leaders responsible for providing leadership in developing, supporting, promoting, and implementing state and local policy priorities within the framework of the American Heart Association's State and Local Public Policy Priorities guidelines, as well as Voices for Healthy Kids' Policy Priorities. I am honored to serve on this team and looking forward to all that we will accomplish together. I believe that collaboration is key to success, and I can't wait to see what opportunities will us together this year.
In Health,
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- Black History Month
- American Heart Month
- National Wear Red Day: February 3
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Savannah Black Heritage Festival
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Celebrate Black History Month by participating in the many events that comprise Savannah's 34th Annual Black Heritage Festival. This year's theme is "The Festival Lives So Our Legacy Thrives." This celebration of Black culture is slated to offer a diverse collection of fun, educational experiences. It also coincides with the 100th birthday of the late W.W. Law, one of the chief architects of the Black Heritage Festival and a significant figure in our city's history. There are wonderful events planned, including the annual Health Fair on February 18. Learn more about the Savannah Black Heritage Festival and ways to get involved here.
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2022 Healthy Savannah Community Survey Highlights
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Results from the 2022 Healthy Savannah Community Survey are in! Each year, we conduct our survey to learn more about our community's needs and interests in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, communications, and connection to community resources. Last year, we attended several events and gatherings, collecting 642 responses from Savannah residents and learning key information, including:
- Physical Activity: More people are aware of the Tide to Town trail system and Active People Healthy Savannah initiative. Access to sidewalks, bike lanes and other recreation facilities has become more important. Nearly half of the respondents would walk or bike to work, school or shopping if there were safe paths or sidewalks.
- Nutrition and Healthy Food Access: Forsyth Farmers’ Market (FFM) continues to be a leading resource in Savannah /Chatham County. A majority of respondents (66%) had heard about or used the market and (53%) currently purchase healthy foods at FFM, up 20% from 2019. A quarter (26%) had purchased food from FFM’s Farm Truck 912 and three quarters (75%) desired to do so. Generally, there was an increase in healthy food purchases and the use of SNAP benefits.
- Resource Directories and Community Resources: Resource directories are beginning to see an increase in utilization. Nearly two-thirds (61%) of respondents had used the 211 resource line in 2022, up from 32% in 2021. Herohelpme.com, an online directory of community health resources, with 57% of respondents reporting its use. This was an increase in use, up from 20% of respondents in 2021.
There is still much we and our partners can do, and much more to learn. Help Healthy Savannah and our coalition by taking our 2023 Community Survey, which can be accessed here.
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February is American Heart Month, an awareness campaign dedicated to spread information about heart health to eliminate the risk factors associated with heart disease. The theme for this year's campaign is #OurHearts. #OurHearts aims to help people improve their health literacy by sharing information about the causes of heart disease, how it can be prevented, questions to ask healthcare providers, and activities and foods that can improve heart health. Coinciding with American Heart Month is National Wear Red Day, which raises awareness for the ways in which heart disease impacts women and celebrates healthy lifestyles. Learn more about American Heart Month, National Wear Red Day, and how to get involved here.
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