Inez, KY — In a significant step toward improving the health and well-being of residents across Eastern Kentucky, five health departments have come together to leverage their collective resources, expertise, and partnerships to confront chronic disease epidemic throughout the Big Sandy region.
The collaborative effort includes the Floyd County Health Department, Johnson County Health Department, Magoffin County Health Department, Martin County Health Department, and Pike County Health Department. Public Health Directors from each organization gathered at the Martin County Health Department on Wednesday, May 20, at 11:30 a.m. to officially announce this important regional initiative and formally sign cooperative memoranda of understanding for the collaborative.
Chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension continue to impact families and communities across the region. By joining forces, the five health departments aim to strengthen prevention efforts, improve health education, increase access to community resources, and create long-term strategies that support healthier lifestyles and better outcomes for residents.
• In some Eastern Kentucky counties, more than 1 in 5 adults is living with diabetes, nearly double the national average.
• Adult obesity rates in parts of Appalachian Kentucky exceed 40%, placing residents at greater risk for heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
• Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Kentucky, with Appalachian counties experiencing disproportionately high mortality rates.
• Smoking rates in some Eastern Kentucky communities approaches 30% of adults, nearly twice the national average.
• Residents in some Appalachian counties may live 10 to 15 years fewer than individuals in healthier regions of the country.
“The chronic disease epidemic in the mountains is a cultural challenge with medical symptoms,” said Eric Mills, Martin County Director of Public Health. “For too long, traditional medicine has treated just the symptoms of chronic disease like diabetes and obesity while the root causes — what we eat, how we move, and the daily barriers our families face — have been overlooked.”
“The Mountain Wellness Collaborative will focus on holistic wellness with all five county health departments coming together to confront social determinants of health so we can turn the tide on this chronic disease epidemic.” said Tammy Riley, Pike County Director of Public Health and President of the Kentucky Health Departments’ Association.
The initiative reflects a growing recognition that regional collaboration is essential in addressing complex public health challenges like this. Through coordinated efforts, the participating health departments and their partners will work to increase chronic disease awareness and access to care, support healthier communities, and improve quality of life for generations to come.
“This partnership represents a powerful commitment to improving the health of our communities,” said Martha Ellis, Floyd County Director of Public Health. “By working together, sharing resources and partnerships, we can expand our impact and drive meaningful, improved health outcomes across the region.”
Community leaders believe this partnership will open the door to innovative programming, expanded outreach opportunities, and stronger support systems of care for residents throughout eastern Kentucky.
For more information, please contact:
Courtney Walker
Community Outreach
Martin County Health Department
606-626-5765
Courtney.walker@martinhealthky.org
