The Farmington Valley Health District (FVHD) is proud to announce the release of its 2024-2029 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), a comprehensive roadmap designed to address the most pressing health issues facing the communities of Avon, Barkhamsted, Canton, Colebrook, East Granby, Farmington, Granby, Hartland, New Hartford, and Simsbury.

Developed over eight months in collaboration with community stakeholders, including municipal departments, schools, healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, and residents, the CHIP includes goals and actionable strategies to improve health for those who live, work, learn, and play in the Farmington Valley. The Community Health Improvement Plan is based on findings from the 2022 Community Health Assessment as well as feedback from community partners and residents. The following priority areas were identified and will be the focus of the District’s work in collaboration with many partners.

• Healthy Eating and Active Living: Promote affordable, accessible healthy lifestyle options by fostering supportive environments and encouraging community adherence to healthy eating and active living guidelines. 
• Mental Health: Foster mental wellness by promoting supportive environments, destigmatizing mental health challenges, and enhancing access to early intervention programs and services.
• Optimal Wellbeing for Older Adults: Combat ageism by raising awareness of the value of an aging population, improving access to essential services for older individuals, and creating supportive environments for older adults. 
• Emerging Environmental Health Concerns: Monitor, analyze, and share public health impacts of climate change while improving environmental conditions that promote good health.

Jennifer C. Kertanis, MPH, Director of the Farmington Valley Health District, emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving the CHIP’s goals with the following statement: “At the Farmington Valley Health District, we work to improve the conditions supporting good health and quality of life for our communities. This Community Health Improvement Plan represents a collective effort to address the root causes of health disparities and create environments where everyone can thrive. We are excited to implement this plan with our community partners.”

To learn more about the CHIP and how you can get involved, visit www.fvhd.org/community-health/chip to access the full report. We welcome all community members who are interested in improving the health of their community to join us!