Via WVIR- NBC29.com
November 28, 2018
Edited by Emmy Freedman

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) –
Some health organizations in central Virginia have launched an assessment process to help improve health in the community.

The group is known as the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnership (MAPP).

The leadership council looks at different outcomes that influence a person’s well-being, and works toward a common goal.

The group says this meeting provides a great opportunity for community groups to come together over the course of a year to develop an action plan on how to improve health in the community.

The group says that implementation of that is up to community partners that come to the table.

In 2016, the core group created four priorities that members were looking to address together.

“The priorities are to promote healthy eating and active living, to address mental health and substance use issues, to improve health disparities and access to care, and then to foster a healthy and connected community,” Elizabeth Beasley, the community relations lead for the University of Virginia’s Health System, said.

The group is looking to focus on the same four priorities in 2019, but through the lens of health equity. It says it wants to make sure it’s not taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

The MAPP core group says it’s thinking about strategies and best practices from which certain community members will benefit.

The group will meet again in February, but if community members are interested in getting involved, they should reach out to the health department.

http://www.nbc29.com/clip/14700410/area-organizations-launch-partnership-to-improve-community-health