Eatonville recognized for improving residents’ health
For Eatonville, competing against major metropolitan cities for the $25,000 Culture of Health Prize by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation wasn’t about the money or national acclaim.
The tiny town of about 2,300 residents is one of four winners, out of 10 finalists, recognized this year for its dedication to improving the overall health of its residents, the New Jersey-based foundation announced Tuesday.
“I’m really convinced in my spirit that more than thinking of winning, it was about just being health conscious,” Mayor Eddie Cole said. “If there’s something that we’re doing — even in a town that’s not large — that changes somebody’s eating habits, it brings joy to my heart.”
Nearly 200 applicants vied for the chance to be among this year’s batch of prize winners and the foundation narrowed the list to 10 communities in the spring.
Initiatives such as Healthy Eatonville Place caught the attention of the foundation because of its community outreach success in diabetes prevention and management.
Before the health education center arrived, a 2011 study by a community-based partnership called Healthy Central Florida revealed that nearly one in four residents had the blood glucose disease. This rate was higher than in nearby areas and far eclipsed the national average.
During a June visit from the selection committee, community members told personal stories about changing the stigma of diabetes by openly talking about it among themselves.
“You go to one funeral and hear that it was a health issue — it’s a wake-up call,” Cole said. “We’re probably going to have more people live a little longer because we are [health] conscious now.”
Town officials also showcased programs that address economic issues known to affect physical health such as access to healthy food sources. The community garden provides locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables free of charge to residents.
“These inspiring places are engaging community members in decision making to give all residents the opportunity to live well, no matter where they live, how much money they make, or the color of their skin,” Dr. Richard Besser, foundation president
and CEO, said in a statement.
The foundation, which focuses on improving health across the nation, has been picking up to 10 winners for the last 35 years to be awarded the Culture of Health Prize. Eatonville is the second Florida community to be awarded the health prize. Miami Dade County won in 2016.
The other three winning communities are Cicero, Illinois.; Klamath County, Oregon; and San Antonio. Each year, the number of winners varies according to recommendations from the selection committee after site visits. Last year, eight communities out of 11 finalists were awarded the prize.
Next month, Eatonville officials will gather with the other winners for a three-day celebration and learning event hosted by the foundation at its headquarters in Princeton, N.J.