Community Connection and Health

April 3-9 is National Public Health Week 2023.

Join American Public Health Association (APHA) and Healthy Acadia in celebrating the many public and private spheres working together to make individuals, families, communities, and our nation healthier, stronger, and more resilient. This year’s theme is, “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health.”

Each day this week, we are highlighting a community health program or sharing an inspiring story from a community partner or a member of our Healthy Acadia team that aligns with APHA’s theme of the day.

Where we live impacts our communities’ health, and each one of us has a role to play, for our own health, and the health of our community as a whole. Together we make health happen.

Community

How would you define community? Is it where you live, where you work, or where you go to school? Is it the people who share similar interests, hobbies, goals, or beliefs? Yes, and yes! And strong connections are key to a healthy community.

Having strong connections to a community can provide a range of benefits for health and well-being. Communities can provide access to resources that are important for health, such as healthy food options, exercise opportunities, and healthcare services. Feeling a sense of belonging to a community can provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life, which has been linked to better mental health outcomes.

Being part of a community can provide emotional and practical support during challenging times. Having someone to talk to, receive advice from, or help with daily tasks can positively impact mental health and overall well-being. Social isolation and loneliness have been linked to an increased risk of physical and mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease. Having connections to a community can help prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Over the past few years, those connections have been greatly impacted. Physically distancing from one another and limiting communal gatherings can lead to social isolation, increasing rates of depression, impaired immunity, and premature mortality. These outcomes are even worse for and in communities marginalized due to their race, income, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

There are also other conditions in our communities that impact our health and well-being called social determinants of health. People living just a few blocks apart may have very different life expectancies because of the safety of the neighborhood they live in or the quality of their schools. Transportation barriers and lack of health insurance can limit access to health services. This can increase the risk of harmful health behaviors like skipping medication or postponing care. Having to travel long distances to access nutritious foods is linked to food insecurity. This puts communities at higher risk for chronic conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. There are also negative environmental health conditions like poor air quality that can result in cancer and lung and heart diseases. - American Public Health Association

Read APHA’s full post highlighting the importance of community connections, in English or Spanish.
Lea la publicación completa de APHA que destaca la importancia de las conexiones comunitarias, en inglés o en español.

Together: Community Health Champions

Our community of Downeast Maine is a special place. Together we have built and continue to grow strong and meaningful connections that support the health and well-being of all.

In 2021, as part of Healthy Acadia's 20th-year anniversary celebration, we undertook our first-ever, in-house documentary film production which premiered in November 2022, with both an in-person event and a virtual showing. “Together: Community Health Champions,” shines a light on six incredible individuals selected through a Washington and Hancock County-wide nomination process as Community Health Champions. These inspirational community members go above and beyond to increase the well-being of our communities, each in their own unique way. Their stories inspire and affirm that we all can and do meaningfully contribute every day to building healthy, resilient communities - and that we do our best work in partnership, together. Click here to read more.

Healthy Acadia and Downeast Salmon Federation invite you to join us for a special film viewing event on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 7. p.m., at the East Machias Aquatic Research Center, located at 13 Willow Street, East Machias. Meet some of these inspiring individuals who are so dedicated to making a strong and lasting impact on the health and well-being of our communities. We hope to see you there!

Why is Community Important to You?

Let us know what you think. Share your comments on our Facebook page under today’s related post.

Together we make health happen.

To make a donation, click here or send a check by mail to Healthy Acadia, PO Box 1710, Ellsworth, ME, 04605. Yes, our mailing address has changed!

Looking for new ways to give or get involved? Subscribe to our newsletter to learn when new opportunities arise, volunteer with one of our program areas, learn more about our programs and resources, join our Sunrise Monthly Giving Circle, include us in your will, make a gift to our endowment, or hold a fundraiser!  For more ways to get involved today, give us a call at 207-667-7171. We would love to hear from you!