Amputations, Community Health Workers, and a Healthier Columbia

One (quick) paragraph within the State’s article mentions Wholesome Columbia, a company based and run by an incredible lady, Terry Jowers. Wholesome Columbia was a grassroots group centered on enhancing well being inside the 29203 and 29204 zip codes. Terry wasn’t primarily thinking about bringing outdoors assist in, however somewhat, in diving into the neighborhood to search out options from inside. In a neighborhood assembly that Terry and Wholesome Columbia held in 2011, the neighborhood requested for a number of issues – higher entry to healthcare, extra well being training, entry to recent vegetables and fruit, and psychological well being sources for caregivers. In response to those wants, Wholesome Columbia recruited and skilled neighborhood members, aka neighborhood well being employees, who lived inside these zip codes to assist to teach their neighbors. Wholesome Columbia and the brand new neighborhood well being employee crew held frequent well being gala’s at neighborhood occasions, housing communities, and even in barber outlets. I used to be lucky sufficient to volunteer with Wholesome Columbia, and it was enjoyable, rewarding, and eye-opening. One particular person at a time, Wholesome Columbia created bonds between neighbors, constructed belief, and improved well being literacy. Change is sluggish to occur although, and the assist for Wholesome Columbia ultimately ran out regardless of the momentum that the group had constructed.