Creating a Culture of Health One Mask at a Time
Judy Morris has hand-sewn over 600 masks since COVID-19 began in March. When masks became harder to find, Morris used scraps from her own sewing machine, as well as material purchased by her daughter, and started creating. First, her masks were just for a surgeon in Jackson who was a friend of her daughter, and…
Free Resource Navigation: Connecting to Resources through an App
When Olivia Ainsworth graduated from college in 2010, she was a single mother trying to find a job in a bad job market and struggling economy. She ended up working an entry-level position that paid $23,000 a year, and after monthly payments on her student debt, rent, and childcare, she didn’t have any money left….
The Mississippi Thrive! Child Health and Development Project is improving health outcomes for children
About 100 new babies are born each day across Mississippi. During the first five years, children’s brains make more than one million neural connections every second. The foundation of the brain is established in these early years as children reach developmental milestones—like focusing their vision or gaining control over their muscles. Marking these milestones –…
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company Is Prioritizing Employee Wellness
Like many others, Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company (SFBLI) had to pivot in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, when it comes to their employees’ wellbeing, they wanted to make sure they kept opportunities and resources easily accessible, even though most of the workforce was working remotely. Throughout the pandemic, they’ve initiated campaigns,…
The Metropolitan YMCAs of MS is dedicated to youth development & healthy living
The Metropolitan YMCAs of Mississippi is dedicated to strengthening our state through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Lasting personal and social change can only come about when everyone works together. For almost 115 years, YMCA has been addressing community needs to make Mississippi a better place to live. The Y has an array…
The Garden Farmacy – Homegrown Food for a Homegrown Economy
In 2010, Taylor Yowell graduated from Jones County Junior College and was working at a garden center in Hattiesburg when he became interested in learning about organic and healthy foods, as well as how people could access that food. One of his friends also ran an organic vegetable market, which led him to the decision…
Healthy Kids Running Series Inspires Kids to be More Active
Healthy Kids Running Series (HKRS) is a 5-week program that keeps kids active by introducing them to the world of running. The goal: get kids to carry that interest into adulthood, because healthy children create a healthier Mississippi! HKRS was created in 2009 to combat the rising rates of childhood obesity. This spring, HKRS will…
FAT to Fit Olympic Games Makes Health Fun
In 2004, Jefferson County was reported as the most obese county in America. In 2010, Janell and Anthony Edwards attended the Global Obesity Summit in Jackson, and they realized that something needed to be done in terms of improving public health in Mississippi, starting in their community of Jefferson County. That same year, they created…
Take the Community Input Survey for State Health Assessment
Four years ago, we started an effort to learn about how Mississippians perceive our state’s health. That effort led to more than 19,000 surveys being conducted, and the results assembled as the State Health Assessment and State Health Improvement Plan, and sharing that information through the brand UProot. Our four priorities — increasing educational attainment,…
American Cancer Society “Trains the Trainer” on Cancer Prevention
“We hope to prevent people from ever hearing the words ‘you have cancer,” says Beth Dickson-Gavney of the American Cancer Society. “We also work to ensure that those who do have cancer are getting quality timely treatment and have a high rate of survivorship.” As the Senior Director of State & Primary Care Systems for…