For every one dollar spent on the prevention of chronic health conditions, approximately $21 in future medical costs are saved. This was the message from organizers of January's Celebrate Healthy North Georgia event at Lanier Technical College in Forsyth County. District 2 Public Health, along with community partners within the 13-county district, came together to celebrate and recognize 21 organizations that have implemented programs to improve health in their communities.

"Twenty-one organizations were chosen from nominations from our 13 counties to represent the savings that can be realized by prevention," said Anderson Flen, health promotions coordinator for District 2 Public Health. "This also shows that there are a lot of people, businesses and organizations working to improve health, as well as access to health and wellness resources in our area."

Carolyn Crump, Ph.D. and James Emery, MPH, from the Gillings School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina were the keynote speakers. Their work to improve public health, promote individual well-being, and eliminate health disparities has been recognized nationally and globally. Currently, the duo is spreading the message about health problems caused by obesity to community leaders across the United States. Their informative presentation described ways communities can address obesity, as they shared successful initiatives other communities and organizations have implemented.

In addition, the event featured breakout sessions on: Grants and Funding Sources for Healthier Communities; Building Resilient Communities; Healthy Community Policy Tools; Built Environmental Decisions that Improve and Create Healthier Business Assets; and Making Policy Decisions with Health and Wellness in Mind. The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to the following 21 organizations:

1. Lavonia Organic Community Garden (Franklin County): Organizers address obesity issues among children and adults by offering fresh fruits and vegetables and demonstrating how to prepare fruits and vegetables for meals.
2. Boys and Girls Clubs (Hall County): The clubs provide 150 minutes of physical activity to children they serve and education on proper nutrition and healthy eating through Club Fit.
3. Toccoa-Stephens County YMCA: The YMCA works with local pediatricians to confront childhood obesity by exploring insurance options and grants to pay for a personal trainer, nutritionist and fitness facility membership for entire families. The YMCA also hosts free health and wellness clinics throughout the year and offers family programs, youth sports, adult fitness, wellness, swimming, summer camps, gymnastics and karate.
4. Average Joe Boot Camp (Hall County): Organizers provide seminars to motivate and educate about health and wellness, along with grocery store tours to show how to eat healthy.
5. Osborne Wood Products (Stephens County): This manufacturing facility has installed a gym for employees and offers incentives for employees who use the gym and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
6. 1st Franklin Financial Corporation (Stephens County): The company sponsors a phased 12-week wellness plan for employees that incorporates contests and initiatives to keep individuals on track. This initiative also incorporates a green challenge to reduce waste of paper and other resources.
7. Dawson County Schools: The school system has been recognized nationally for making their campus a healthy place for students and staff. Dawson County Schools has also been participating with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation since 2007 to reduce childhood obesity and provide children with healthier lifestyle choices.
8. Step of Faith Outreach, Inc. (Franklin County): This organization focuses on nutrition to alleviate hunger and malnutrition in children ages 1-18. They address the negative effects malnutrition has on an individual's health, educational development and growth.
9. Cedar Hill Enrichment Center (Hall and Forsyth Counties): This sustainable living center is dedicated to community education and outreach through holistic and resilient ways of living with the Earth and each other.
10. City of Gainesville: The city adopted a smoke-free air ordinance that bans smoking in enclosed public spaces and in enclosed areas of employment. The city also established an employee clinic and comprehensive wellness program which includes a network of multi-use trails and other recreational facilities.
11. Georgia Mountain Food Bank: The food bank provides a vital link between sources of food supplies and community-based partners that help get food into the hands of those who need it.
12. Forsyth County Schools: The school system implemented initiatives around concussion management and a heat-related injury prevention program. Nurses at all Forsyth County schools are locally funded and the schools have in place a healthy eating program.
13. Greenway Forsyth County Parks and Recreation and Healthcare Association (HCA) of Forsyth County: Greenway is about conservation, recreation, environmental education and alternative transportation. This initiative is an investment in the future of Forsyth County and promotes open spaces for people as well as natural areas for plants and animals. The HCA is a collective voice for current healthcare issues affecting the community and provides a conduit for information and resources (like Greenway) to ensure the highest quality of healthcare to meet the needs of those living and working in Forsyth County.
14. Healthy Hall County: This government fitness program is for the employees of Hall County, their dependents and retirees. Their desire is to create a healthier and happy workforce by providing tools to successfully reach their overall fitness goals.
15. Royston Wellness Park (Franklin County): This wellness park is a 43-acre development used for fitness and outdoor activities. It features 1.2 miles of paved walking trails with fitness stations to assist therapy patients (heart disease) in their journey to good health and rehabilitation.
16. Healthy Beginnings (Hall County): This collaborative between United Way, Good News Clinics, Family Connections Network, Gainesville Parks and Recreation, Vision 2030 and Northeast Georgia Medical Center focuses on children under 5 years of age. Not wanting to duplicate efforts to reduce obesity by other community organizations within the school setting, this collaborative targets younger children by providing education to parents, grandparents and other caregivers of young children about developing good nutritional habits early in life.
17. Direct Medical Imaging: Located on the campus of Lanier Technical College Manufacturing Development Center in Gainesville, Direct Medical Imaging provides an alternative MRI service to the community. This self-pay service is designed to benefit patients with health spending accounts, high deductible insurance plans, and those without insurance by providing cost effective, high-end imaging.
18. Legacy Link, Inc.: The organization offers several initiatives for seniors in the area. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Program focuses on tools and problem solving techniques to help people with chronic conditions to better manage their health and life. The Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is a USDA-sponsored program that provides vouchers for fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables to seniors based on age and income. The Silver Sneakers program includes fitness classes, fitness equipment and senior centers to keep seniors active.
19. Union County Middle School: The trail program allows students to connect with nature, history and culture in their backyard. The program incorporates math and science, music and art, and everything in between to strengthen the middle school's curriculum. This collaborative includes partners like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, U.S. Forestry Service, Union Park and Recreation and even Michelle Obama's Let's Move Campaign.
20. The Rainbow Community Seniors of Habersham County: This is a grassroots organization of senior citizens who have "cast down their buckets where they are" to do a variety of activities to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They work with local agencies on nutrition, healthy cooking and exercise, as well as taking regular field trips to stay active, involved and motivated.
21. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (Forsyth County): A national leader in pediatric healthcare, CHOA is leading the way to address adult issues that are impacting children, such as hypertension, liver and kidney disease and Type 2 diabetes. Strong4Life is an initiative to lessen the impact of obesity in children by sounding the alarm on the direct attack of fast food, television, video games, junk food and splashy advertising for unhealthy behaviors. Additionally, they seek to influence policies for environmental changes like sidewalks and safe places for children to play.