HoCo 1 Of 9 Entities Nationwide Vying For Culture Of Health Prize

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Howard County is in the running as one of nine communities chosen as a finalist for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s 2021 “Culture of Health Prize.” The prize recognizes communities across the United States that are working at the forefront of advancing health, opportunity and equity for all of its residents.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront the growing inequity across the U.S. of fair and equitable access to affordable healthcare and the opportunity to live a healthier life,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “Here in Howard County, we remain committed to addressing disparities and creating a culture of health. By leveraging partnerships, building coalitions and integrating services we will create the greatest community impact. Being named a ‘Culture of Health Prize’ finalist emphasizes our commitment to doing just that.”

To earn finalist status, Howard 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; and
• measuring and sharing progress and results.

One example of the many partnerships in Howard County helping the community is the Climate of Hope project, a joint creation by Columbia Community Care and the Community Ecology Institute. The Climate of Hope project focuses on creating climate-aware agriculture featuring renewable energy integration, cultivating climate victory gardens and educating the community on climate change.

Howard County, along with the other eight prize finalist communities, will participate in a series of virtual community reflection conversations with leaders, residents and representatives from the prize program as the next step. The winner will be announced this fall.