Vision for Health and Wellness

The Greenville health care system meets the full continuum of medical needs for individuals of all ages. Through active health prevention and intervention strategies Greenville residents' chances of living longer without chronic disease, injury, or accidental or premature death are increased. Greenville is a medical destination for people throughout the Southeast who seek advanced treatments. Our medical excellence is recognized nationally and patients are drawn to Greenville from across the country.

We have developed a list of current visions condensed to one page.

HEALTHY PEOPLE

Goal 1: Children, adolescents, and adults are at a healthy weight
People are living at a healthy weight.
Improve health, fitness, and quality of life through daily physical activity.
Goal 2: All persons live tobacco free
Adolescents live tobacco free.
Adults, 18 and older, live tobacco free.
Goal 3: Reduce proportion of persons engaging in risky behaviors relating to alcohol and other drug use
Adolescents are alcohol and drug free.
Adults are not using illicit drugs.
Adults are not engaging in risky behaviors relating to alcohol.

HEALTHCARE SERVICES

Goal 1: Improve access to and utilization of a high quality, comprehensive system of care addressing the needs of the whole person.
All persons have access to a medical home.
All persons have access to a comprehensive set of services, including addiction and mental health treatment.
Goal 2: Provide the benefits of national research and medical care innovation and training in Greenville County.
Goal 3: Greenvillle is recognized locally and nationally for healthcare excellence, quality, and innovation.

The Vision Goals

A full continuum of medical needs for individuals of all ages is met through high quality healthcare facilities and personnel. Mental health and substance abuse treatment services are adequately funded. Vulnerable populations, including children, young families, seniors, and those with disabilities, can find high quality, affordable and accessible health care.

Greenville supports healthy and safe lifestyle choices as well as behaviors that increase chances of longer life without chronic disease, injury, or accidental or premature death.

Greenville is a medical destination for people throughout the Southeast who seek advanced treatments. Our medical excellence is recognized nationally and patients are drawn to Greenville from across the country.

A strong, vibrant economy of the Upstate provides the resources to insure that every citizen has affordable access to complete medical care. This care includes healthy lifestyle education, preventative (wellness) care, acute and chronic care and specialized care when needed. The care encompasses dental, medical and mental health services as appropriate. The cost of this care is provided by a combination of private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare as well as a "new community fund." Education about accessing all areas of the health system is ongoing.

Download the complete Healthcare Vision and Meeting Notes

Task Force Initiatives

The Health and Wellness Task Force has developed a strategic and tactical plan for 2008 and beyond. The purpose of this plan is to provide a roadmap of the task force's work over the coming years. Download the plan.

Progress on Key Initiatives

Smoking Ban. In 2007, Greenville became the first county in South Carolina with a city-wide no smoking ordinance. This ordinance was quickly followed by other cities across the state. In 2011, City Council expanded the ban to include public spaces and outdoor events.

Health Reassessment Study. Released in 2008 by Greenville Forward, and sponsored by Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, Greenville Hospital System, the United Way, and Piedmont Health Care Foundation, the third health reassessment determined that 37% of Greenvillians are medically underserved. Over the last ten years, the study has provided information from over 4,200 telephone interviews with Greenville County residents.

Livewell Greenville. Formed as a partnership of dozens of public and private organizations, Livewell aims to make Greenville County a healthier place to live, work, and play. Created by the Piedmont Health Care Foundation and the YMCA, Livewell initially focused on obesity rates, specifically in our youth, and has expanded to include over 100 partners to make living well easier in Greenville.

211 Health Help Line. Greenville County’s comprehensive source for information regarding human service agencies and community resources went live in March 2009. The 211 system fields thousands of calls and provide a depth of information about human services.

AccessHealth. A proposal for a 3-year grant was recently funded by The Duke Endowment to create a collaborative effort to better coordinate and streamline safety-net health care resources for the uninsured in Greenville County.

Healthy School Lunch Program. Greenville County schools are piloting a program in eleven elementary schools where the menu includes veggie burgers, fresh fruits, and other low-fat, vegetarian and whole grain foods. Through the program, food service also staff attended a 40-hour course to learn about healthy cooking. The healthy lunch program has won a 2011 Golden Carrot Award from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

Key Links

In October 2008, we released the third wave in a ten year study of the health and status of Greenville's medically underserved. Download the reports below. The key finding of the study is that 37% of Greenvillians are medically underserved and the number is growing.

Executive Summary. Sixteen page summary of findings. Updated in November 2009.

Presentation to the Community. PowerPoint presentation made to the community in October 2008.

Other United Way Reports:

Greenville Forward
24 Cleveland Street, Greenville, SC 29601
info@greenvilleforward.com
864.233.8443
(c) Copyright 2012