Getting multiple organizations with different missions on the same page isn’t an easy task. It takes a lot of coordination, planning and communication. But, Healthy Palmetto, the coalition responsible for implementing the healthy eating and active living portion of the SC State Health Improvement Plan, seems to be doing the right things. With financial support from Wholespire, they recently released their annual report indicating the progress being made by organizations on the ground across all six priority areas. You can see more detailed data and information by downloading the Health Palmetto Annual Report.
Improve Outdoor Environments for Early Care and Education
Grow Outdoors SC is transforming early childhood outdoor spaces into diverse, naturalized environments that spark play and learning.
- The SC Department of Social Services (SCDSS) and SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) partnered with the National Wildlife Federation’s Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) and NC State University’s Natural Learning Initiative to expand Grow Outdoors SC over the next five years.
- South Carolina hospitals invested in Grow Outdoors SC for their child care facilities.
Prioritize Physical Activity in Schools
SCDHEC and its partners are improving student health by enhancing physical education and creating more opportunities for physical activity before, during, and after school.
- Fifty-eight (58) schools in South Carolina received the 2023 America’s Healthiest Schools award for bolstering physical education and activity.
Promote Trail Connectivity
The South Carolina Trails Coalition is increasing trail connectivity in the state and promoting the use of trails through increased knowledge and outreach.
- The SC Trails Coalition formed and developed a strategic plan.
- Two-hundred-seventy-five (275) new trails have been added to SCTrails.net.
- Kids in Parks received funding from the BlueCross and BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation in support of the goals of Diabetes Free SC to develop TRACK Trails across South Carolina.
Expand Awareness of WIC
SCDHEC is expanding awareness of the benefits and services of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program to increase enrollment of eligible participants.
- A new online app to make it easier for families to pre-apply for WIC was launched. The app streamlines enrollment and recertification processes for families.
Increase Senior Enrollment in SNAP
The SC Department on Aging and SC Thrive are increasing enrollment of eligible older adults in SNAP through community-based outreach.
- Over 139,00 SC residents 51 years of age or older who are eligible for SNAP are receiving SNAP benefits.
- The SNAP for Seniors Toolkit was created and those assisting seniors to apply for SNAP benefits were trained. Updates to the toolkit are currently in process and will be released soon.
Increase Access to Healthy Food
The SC Food Policy Council is strengthening local food systems in South Carolina, addressing food insecurity through the health care system by expanding screening and referral tools and resources and exploring strategies to address community design for physical activity and access to healthy food.
- Seven (7) local food policy councils received support from USC SNAP-Ed in partnership with the SC Food Policy Council. Multiple organizations in South Carolina received USDA funding to establish produce prescription programs.
- Multiple organizations in South Carolina received USDA funding to establish produce prescription programs.
- Active People, Healthy Nation Walkability Action Institute was held in South Carolina in 2023. Five (5) local communities received training and developed action plans to address walkability/moveability through community planning and design.