Dive Brief:
- The Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge, sponsored by the Aetna Foundation, The American Public Health Association, and the National Association of Counties, will provide $1.5 million in prizes to cities and counties that reflect measurable improvements in health indicators.
- Participants will focus on at least one of these areas: healthy behaviors, community safety, social/economic factors, built environment, and environmental exposures. Evaluations will be based on measurements already in place within public health.
- An advisory board including members from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Association of Retired People (AARP) and the Urban Land Institute, will judge the finalists.
Dive Insight:
Participants will also be judged on their ability to form cross-sector partnerships - what the American Public Health Association considers "a key ingredient and a critical foundation for sustainable and lasting change." APHA Executive Director Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, said, "Whether it's creating affordable housing, preventing community violence or ensuring safe drinking water, multi-sector partnerships coupled with community-driven leadership have the potential to transform the way we think about good health and well-being."
Several cities and counties have already submitted proposals, which are being accepted until May 31, 2016. Participants will be announced in September and the ones chosen will receive a $10,000 community grant to assist with implementation and technical assistance and online learning opportunities. Additional information, rules, and applications are available here.