Cobb2020 Partnership, a collaboration of community organizations and individuals committed to the delivery of essential health services in Cobb County, is pleased to announce the launch of its website, www.Cobb2020.com.

The new website was developed as part of a major health initiative, the Cobb2020 Health Improvement Plan, to build a healthier Cobb community focused on promoting healthy lifestyles and improved access to health services. Cobb2020.com offers easy suggestions for jump starting a healthy lifestyle including information on maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity, and nutrition and tobacco prevention. The website also will offer information on access to health services in the county.

Based on an assessment of the county's health status and leading health issues, the website includes recommended action plans, weekly challenges, a robust calendar of community health events and other health-related resources. The new website teaches people how to make simple changes to improve their health, the health of their families and the community's overall health.

In conjunction with the launch of the website, the Cobb2020 Partnership is starting a social media campaign with interactive Facebook and Twitter pages that provide more opportunities for Cobb County residents to become involved and embrace a healthier Cobb County.

The Cobb2020 Health Improvement Plan and website is facilitated by Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) and the Cobb2020 Steering Committee that consists of key leaders in the community focused on making significant changes to the health status of Cobb. Chaired by Jay Dillon, director of communications for Cobb County School District and Jack Kennedy, M.D., district health director for CDPH, the team has been hard at work developing this informational website and navigating through a process that will lead to a healthier and safer community.

"The only way to have healthy people in healthy communities is to get everyone involved, from large organizations down to the mom who's concerned about her family and children," said Kennedy. "Everyone in this community has ownership in this effort, and the launch of the website provides an interactive tool for our community to become involved with our effort to make our community healthier."

The launch of the Cobb2020 website is a first public step in the five-year plan to build a foundation for reducing and preventing chronic disease and promoting healthy lifestyles. It is also dedicated to providing better access to health and prevention services for the community, regardless of one's ability to pay for health services.

To join this countywide effort and encourage positive health changes, please visit cobb2020.com. The ultimate goal of the Cobb2020 Health Improvement Plan is to produce a measurable improvement in the overall health profile of those living in Cobb County by the end of this decade.

-Story by Cobb & Douglas Public Health