The Clinton Foundation’s Health Matters Initiative has released a blueprint for action toward improved health in Central Arkansas.

Central Arkansas is one of four communities nationally in which the initiative is working with corporations, communities and individuals on better health. Partners include Verizon, using technology to help increase access to health care and to lower costs. The PGA Tour and Players Championship also are partners.

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The new blueprint outlines action. It follows work by 175 members. Meetings began late last spring.

You can see the blueprint here.

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It begins with data. Pulaski County, for example, ranks high in tobacco, alcohol and prescription drug use.

The blueprint calls for programs at higher education institutions to education and train staff and students and others on symptoms and prevention; a campaign to prevent abuse; and a “virtual” network of resources.

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To address obesity and encourage healthier, the blueprint calls for mobile fresh food markets, a regional food hub that targets neighborhoods without good food sources, more education and a campaign to promote healtheir living.

The plan also calls for steps to increase physical activity, to combat sexually transmitted disease and to improve access to quality health care. On the last, the goals include more trained community health workers with an emphasis on preventive care. The blueprint also aims at education and employment, both of which are intertwined with good health; family development; crime, and the environment.

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The goals range from the specific to the general. Overall, the aim is high.

More information is available here.

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