19 Mayors from the Mid South Meet to Curb Childhood Obesity
On November 16th and 17th, the Foundation for the Mid South and the National League of Cities (NLC) hosted mayors from 19 cities and towns in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana at the King Edward Hotel in Jackson to focus on reducing childhood obesity in their communities. The Municipal Leadership for Healthy Southern Cities project,which is […]
Opportunity For Small Town Mayors To Improve Community Health
Invitation to Small Town Mayors to Join Initiative to Curb Childhood Obesity and Improve Community Health Foundation for the Mid South and the National League of Cities invite the mayors of small communities (with populations up to 35,000) from Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi to apply and participate in an initiative focused on improving community health […]
Cultural Workers Matter
The Mid South is known the world over for its contribution of talent to literature, art, sports and music. And while the region is just beginning to understand how this rich culture can improve its economy, many of those working in the cultural industry—musicians, artists, and those in the restaurant business–are low-wage and seasonal employees […]
Community Leadership Focuses on Improving Access to Healthy Food
A while back, the last grocery store in Itta Bena, Mississippi, closed, making it difficult for 1,800 residents to get fresh fruits and vegetables. The closure of the Big Star Supermarket forced people, like Ruthie, to drive 11 miles to the nearest Walmart to buy food. “You really have to plan your meals or otherwise […]
Healthy Southern Cities: State Highlight: Arkansas
Healthy Southern Cities: State Highlight: ArkansasCity of Clarendon, Arkansas The City of Clarendon, Arkansas lead by Mayor James Stinson III, has identified new and exciting ways to promote physical activity and have a healthy impact in their community. The city added exercise stations and detailed directions to their existing walking trails. These efforts have enhanced […]
Tackling Diabetes in Rural Communities
About 1 million people in the Mid South—10% of the population—have been diagnosed with diabetes, with another 3 million considered pre-diabetic. The estimated annual cost of diabetes in the U.S. is $174 billion; diabetes’ price tag in our three states is roughly $6 billion. Unless the trend is reversed, experts suggest that 1 in 3 […]
Municipal Leaders Taking the Lead to Improve Community Health
Creating a healthy Mid South is a comprehensive effort, and calls for the involvement of healthcare systems, health professional and residents they serve. Municipal leaders may not be the first to come to mind as resources for promoting health and well-being, but the Foundation is learning how they can play key roles in creating local […]
Expanding Health Services to First-Time Mothers
Our region continually ranks at the bottom of many health indicators in the nation, including low birthweight babies and infant mortality. Unfortunately, the needs in the region are greater than our states’ abilities to meet them. Nationally recognized as an effective model to improve the outcomes of children and families, the Nurse-Family Partnerships program is […]
Candid Conversations About Mental Health
Candid Conversations About Mental HealthThe Mid South Region’s Outcomes of the Text, Talk, and Act Initiative The Text, Talk, and Act event was a nation-wide discussion on mental health designed to engaged youth and young adults using technology that is ubiquitous to their everyday lives. The foundation utilized this platform to engage past and new community […]