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Takeaways For Improving Health Outcomes in Middle Tennessee
It is clear that much work remains to improve the health and well-being of Middle Tennessee residents. While the region’s residents experience low levels of
asthma, other areas, such as heart attack, physical activity, smoking, COPD, obesity and high stress, demand attention and action. To guide action, Middle
Tennesseans should:
• Take advantage of our health care system to positively influence health outcomes in Middle Tennessee. Compared to peer regions,
our residents are more likely to be insured and more likely to take advantage of health care services. With our residents now accessing services for
chronic diseases, there are opportunities to engage with individuals around a broader continuum of health and well-being that ultimately can mean
cost savings, improved health and productivity.
• Expand health insurance coverage to Middle Tennesseans without coverage. There are 269,750 Middle Tennesseans without health care
coverage, making it more difficult for them to access the quality care that exists in our region. It is imperative that the state and region work to
expand insurance coverage to ensure that more of our residents can access preventive care and treat chronic health conditions.
• Strengthen partnerships between health departments and community organizations to better serve low-income Middle
Tennesseans. Data suggest that poor health outcomes do not impact all Middle Tennesseans equally. Low-income individuals are twice as likely
to report being in poor or fair health. Public health departments can play a crucial role in strengthening partnerships, through shared data and
coordinated strategies, with community organizations that support populations that are disproportionately impacted by poor health.
• Enhance the public infrastructure to promote healthy living. Neighborhoods are often separated along socioeconomic lines, with varying
access to factors that promote or, if missing, deter healthy living. As the region works to develop and redevelop neighborhoods, opportunities for
increased access to bicycle and pedestrian pathways, transit, healthy foods and services, and open space should take priority.