“This year’s award of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s ‘Culture of Health’ Prize to The Bronx shows that what we are doing is working, and that people are taking notice. For too long, our borough has lagged behind, and this disparity was never more obvious than when it came to health.
“Things are changing. From building greener, to funding improved parks, to ensuring access to healthier foods in every community, to getting people exercising and more, we have seen a full-court press towards better health outcomes over the past several years. When the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation named The Bronx the least healthy county in New York State in 2009, we acted. Today, we are working in earnest at all levels to improve our borough’s health indicators, through the #NOT62 campaign, Bronx CAN initiative and more. This prestigious award recognizes those efforts, and we are grateful to receive it.
“As we move forward, we must build on the successes we have seen so far—the successes that are being acknowledged by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation today. We should certainly be proud of this honor. But there is much more work to be done. The power of The Bronx in in the hands of our residents – elected officials, community boards, healthcare organizations, non-profits, city and state agencies, our businesses, and the 1.4 million people who call this borough their home—creating a collective effort for a healthier Bronx,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
The RWJF Culture of Health Prize honors communities which place a high priority on health and bring partners together to drive local change. Each year, communities across the nation who are leading some of the nation’s most innovative efforts to build a Culture of Health receive a $25,000 cash prize in recognition of their accomplishments. These communities are creating powerful partnerships and deep commitments to drive local change, weaving health into all decisions, and ensuring that all residents have an opportunity to make healthy choices in their schools, workplaces and neighborhoods.
More information about the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s “Culture of Health” Award to The Bronx can be found at http://rwjf.ws/1Wiq1oB.