Anne Arundel County A Finalist In National Health Prize Contest

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Out of 90 applicants, Anne Arundel County has advanced to become one of eight finalists from across the country in the running for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize. As a 2021 finalist, the county moves one step closer to the national prize that honors communities working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity and equity for all. Winners will be announced this fall.

“Robert Wood Johnson Foundation knows good work when they see it,” Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a statement. “Being selected as a finalist for this award tells all of us what we already suspected. Our public, private and community partnerships in service to struggling families across our county have been truly extraordinary. We really are creating the best place for all.”

Entrants had to showcase the breadth of work and collaboration happening across sectors to expand health opportunities for residents. To become a finalist, Anne Arundel County had to demonstrate how its efforts reflect the six prize criteria:

• Defining health in the broadest possible terms.
• Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented long-term solutions.
• Creating conditions that give everyone a fair and just opportunity to reach their best possible health.
• Maximizing the collective power of leaders, partners and community members.
• Securing and making the most of available resources.
• Measuring and sharing progress and results.

If selected as the winner, Anne Arundel County will be given a $25,000 prize and a national platform to share their story and lessons learned with the country. The other 2021 finalists include Bastrop County, Texas; Freehold Borough, N.J.; Green Bay, Wis.; Howard County, Md.; Palm Beach County, Fla.; Rocky Mount, N.C.; Salinas, Calif.; and Thunder Valley Community-Oglala Lakota Nation (Oceti Sakowin Territory)