Do you know someone who has been a tireless advocate for policies
that make a community or Kentucky healthier? Their efforts can be honored by a new award for individuals and organizations who are working
for policies or laws that improve health.
The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky will present up to two “Healthy Kentucky Policy Champion” awards a month, and
the winners will be eligible for the Healthy Kentucky Policy Champion of the
Year award. It will come with a $5,000 grant to a
Kentucky-based nonprofit of the winner's choice.
"This award is about recognizing the hard work and
persistence it takes to enact health-related policies and laws," Foundation
Chair Charlie Ross, a retired public-health director in the Jackson Purchase,
said in a news release. "Kentucky has a lot of health issues, but we can
make clear progress across entire communities and population groups with
evidence-based policy changes, such as smoke-free laws that reduce exposure to
secondhand smoke, complete-streets policies that allow roadways to be used by
walkers and cyclers, and school programs that boost nutrition and physical
activity."
Foundation President and CEO Ben Chandler said, "Business
policies, local ordinances and state laws can make widespread and long-lasting
improvements in the health of our people. The right health-policy changes help
residents get preventive screenings and essential medical care, including
mental-health services. They ensure access to healthy foods, clean air,
exercise opportunities and health education. They make healthier options better
understood, available to people at all income levels, and easier to choose. In
short, they lead to reduced illness, better quality of life and a more
productive workforce."
Nominees for the Healthy Kentucky Policy Champion award
should have advanced a corporate policy, a local ordinance or a state law that
will improve community or statewide health. The policy should focus on one or
more specific health issues – such as a health behavior or disease, access to
health care, health equity or public health, or adding a health perspective to
policy. The nominees must represent a nonprofit, for-profit, educational or
government entity that resides or does work in Kentucky. Political causes,
organizations working for religious purposes, and groups that discriminate, are
not eligible.
Nominations must be accompanied by at least one letter of
endorsement (two for self-nominations) and can be made via the foundation's website. Winners will be chosen by foundation staffers and
selected members of the foundation's Community Advisory Committee. Complete award qualifications
and nomination requirements are at https://www.healthy-ky.org/res/uploads/media/Healthy-Kentucky-Policy-Champion-Award-Program-PUBLIC.pdf.
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