Health District releases Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Annual Report

More accomplishments expected in 2018

RENO, NEV, April 17, 2018 - The 2017 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Annual Report is now available on the Washoe County Health District website. While the CHIP provides an action plan for community partners to improve the health and well-being for residents in Washoe County by addressing topics such as Access to Health Care and Social Services, Education, Behavioral Health, and Food Security, the CHIP Annual Report is intended as a progress review of the activities completed in 2017 by collaborating agencies.

The inaugural 2016-2018 CHIP was developed in partnership with the Washoe County Health District, Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities, Renown Health, and other organizations in the region. "Washoe County is a community dedicated to being healthy," said Washoe County Commissioner and Health District Chair Kitty Jung. "Whether it's of a personal nature - lifestyle, nutrition, and fitness, or of a community nature - access to health care, food, housing, or education, one thread runs common throughout. All of these factors are important to a healthy and vibrant community. The CHIP demonstrates that to keep a community healthy and to make improvements in health outcomes, efforts must be cross-sector in nature."

According to health officials, several initiatives completed in 2017 include adoption of the Washoe County School District Wellness Policy to improve nutrition and physical activity in schools. The Prescription Pantry, a pilot project to decrease food insecurity in Washoe County was also established. Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities, a cross-sectoral coalition to improve the health of the community, became a focal point of quarterly health fairs and a huge three-day area-wide RAM medical clinic serving hundreds of residents. "These efforts and successes are just forerunners to the achievements we hope to accomplish throughout the rest of this year," said Jung.