Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize Site Visit Set

Blue Zones Project, Klamath Falls encourages all to wear a Blue Zones shirt during the RWJF visit this week. (Image: Blue Zones Project, Klamath Falls Facebook)

RWJF is the largest philanthropy organization in the nation solely focused on health. The Culture of Health Prize is an award for communities that demonstrate that health is a shared value and everyone has a role to play in making sure good health flourishes for all.

Klamath County is one of 10 nationwide finalists for the Culture of Health Prize, after a multi-part application process that started with 190 applicant communities.

The final step in the prize process is the site visit. Representatives from the RWJF will tour the community and to learn about local health initiatives. The site visit has three components. These are a community tour, a community conversation and a leadership conversation, all of which will take place in the two scheduled days. 

The community tour will be on Wednesday. Tour locations include the Sky Lakes Live Young Wellness Center, the Blue Zones Project office, a walking tour of Mills Addition Neighborhood, Sherm’s Thunderbird Market, and the Klamath Works job training campus. Site visitors will also receive an overview of the Protected Bike Lane Project and the Klamath Works program since they are under construction. At all of these locations, local representatives will be onsite help the visitors understand the background and importance of the initiatives.

RWJF site visitors also plan to talk to other community members while visiting Klamath County.

Immediately following the community tour, a community conversation dinner will be held. Site visitors meet with a group representing many community sectors, including education, healthcare, and local government. The conversation is an opportunity for site visitors to ask questions and hear stories about the collaborative work happening in Klamath County to improve health and well-being.

The final event will be held on Thursday: the leadership conversation. Six leaders within the community, who have played a role in building a culture of health, have been identified and invited to have a facilitated discussion with the site visit team. The focus of this conversation will be on the history of health improvements and a vision for the future.

There are currently 10 Finalist communities for the Culture of Health Prize, and usually six to eight prize winners are selected after site visits. If Klamath County receives the Culture of Health Prize, the community will receive national recognition and be awarded $25,000 to go towards a community project.

Representatives of Healthy Klamath have expressed excitement for hosting the RWJF site visitors. Residents are invited to wear their Blue Zones Project Klamath Falls T-Shirts, or any other Klamath Falls gear they may have, on Wednesday and Thursday to show community engagement and pride.

To learn about the work of the 35 previous prize winners, visit www.rwjf.org/prize.

Press release provided from Klamath County Public Health.