In late November 2023, over 200 people from small to mid-sized U.S. cities converged in Nashville to embark on a journey that differed from the typical structure of a conference: the participants co-planned the event from the very beginning.
Ten small and mid-sized cities are participating in the City Health Dashboard’s inaugural Data Challenge. A $75,000 grant will help the cities leverage data to better understand local health and neighborhood condition challenges and help target resources to community development strategies that ensure everyone has a fair and just opportunity to achieve their best health.
As the Invest Health Roanoke team celebrates the recent groundbreaking of a resource hub in the Melrose-Orange neighborhood of Roanoke, Virginia, Dr. Liz Ackley took the time to reflect and recognize the value of remaining committed to Invest Health’s core principals while throwing the proverbial roadmap out the window.
In sharing the challenges and leverage points experienced through their work to bring a community resource hub with grocery, wellness, education and banking services to our community, we hope to accelerate equity-promoting community development projects in midsized cities across the US.