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The Community Service Department was created to improve the health of our community. In 2008, Ephraim McDowell Health sponsored a community health risk behavior assessment for Boyle County, obtained by Professional Research Consultants (PRC). To achieve the department's mission of improving the health of the community in a measurable way, the data from the assessment was used to set the work plan for the department.

The three areas of focus are:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer
• Childhood obesity

Working with community partners, the Community Service Department plans events that focus on early detection, prevention and education about the three focus areas. Programs are designed to improve access to healthcare services, enhance the health of the community and reduce or relieve the burden of government or other community efforts.

A part of the Community Service Department is the Faith Community Nursing Service, which partners with area churches to establish and support faith community nursing and health ministries.

Children's Programs

Ephraim McDowell Health's Community Service Department provides children's programs to area schools, health departments, parks and recreation, early childhood development organizations, 4-H and other programs that reach children. Led by Children's Projects Leader Paul Muth, all programs relate to health education and healthy lifestyles.

Programs focus on sun safety, activity and nutrition. The number one goal is to help children learn good health choices.

Encouraging physical activity is a key strategy. In partnership with the Auxiliaries at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center and Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital, 850 jump ropes were distributed to children in 2008. The Arts Walk used cameras to build a skill and get children outdoors. The Longest Day of Play kicked off the summer season with an outdoor games day at a local elementary school. VERB was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the VERB Summer Scorecard was used to help children in Boyle, Mercer and Lincoln counties stay active all summer, track their activity and win prizes related to their activities.

Health Fairs in the schools provided educational information and resources for healthy choices. BMI projects in the schools helped teach the components of body mass index and how to impact the BMI by lifestyle choices. An attitude survey was developed to assess perception of exercise, with data tracked over time by participants.

Continuing education for community partners was sponsored by Ephraim McDowell Health and Fit Kentucky, with 20 area agencies participating in the training.

For more information about these programs, please call Paul Muth at (859)239-1609 or email him at pmuth@emrmc.org.