Message from Senator Bill Frist, M.D.

This has been a year of great progress for our city and for NashvilleHealth, and I want to thank you for your support and engagement throughout. I am convinced that working together we can make Nashville the best place in the country for babies to be born and families to thrive. I am excited about where we are headed in 2018 and look forward to our continued collaboration to create a culture of health. 

Tobacco Coalition Constructs Strategic Plan

More than 40 members of the Tobacco-Free Tennessee Coalition gathered in October and November for strategic planning and agenda setting discussions coordinated by NashvilleHealth.

Additionally, Dr. Victor Wu, chief medical officer at TennCare, and Dr. Michelle Fiscus, deputy medical director at the Tennessee Department of Health shared updates on tobacco initiatives and policy for each agency.

The next coalition meeting is January 18 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Lentz Public Health Center. Click here to register.

Infant Vitality Collaborative Work Continues

Founded in 2016, the Nashville Infant Vitality Collaborative (NIVC) is working to make Nashville the best place for babies to be born. The NIVC is funded by CityMatCH and led by the Metro Public Health Department (MPH) in partnership with Meharry Medical College and NashvilleHealth.

As chair of the NIVC Housing Work Group, NashvilleHealth hosted a recent meeting featuring speakers Adam Graham of Urban Housing Solutions and MPH’s Lillian Maddox-Whitehead.

Chamber and VUMC Convene Employers on Health

The Nashville Chamber partnered with Vanderbilt University Medical Center to host the Workforce Health Executive Roundtable on Nov. 27. The roundtable highlighted the Nashville Region Health Competitiveness Report that found lost productivity due to diabetes, obesity and hypertension costs employers $500 million a year. More than 50 executives participated, each assessing their current workplace health culture and sharing goals and concerns.

Celebs for Health: Social Media Campaign

Blake Shelton and other celebrities are joining NashvilleHealth and the Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness in a social media campaign to encourage and empower Nashvillians and Tennesseans to live healthier.
Hear what Blake has to say! 

Watch Facebook, Twitterand Instagram for #ImNashvilleHealthymessages and join in.

Congregational Health & Education Network Launches

Leaders have launched the Congregational Health and Education Network (CHEN) to achieve health equity by addressing education as the primary social determinant of health. Learn more here.

Legislators Form Wellness Caucus

The Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness announced a bipartisan Tennessee Legislative Wellness Caucus. The 37 members will focus on health issues and meaningful policies to improve wellness. Read more here.

Sycamore Institute Releases Report

Read a recent Sycamore Institute report on the $5.3 billion economic impact of Tennessee’s high rates of chronic disease here.

It’s Quittin’ Time in Tennessee Feb. 5-9

Mark your calendars for It’s Quittin’ Time in Tennessee, the state’s annual tobacco awareness campaign, February 5-9.