Founded in 2007, Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson launched the ‘Healthy Savannah Initiative’, with the aim of making Savannah a healthier place to live.
Since then, the Initiative has grown into a dedicated coalition of over 200 partner organizations with whom we lead, collaborate, and innovate equitable solutions for the sustained health of all Savannahians.
We view our work through a lens of policy, systems, and environmental change. Our aim is to increase opportunities for citizens to seek physical activity, consume nutritious, balanced diets, and to thrive in a city that connects them with necessary goods and services for healthy living.
Mission Statement:
Lead and support a culture of health in the Savannah area by:
– Creating an environment that makes a healthy choice an easy choice
– Building a collaborative network that identifies and shares resources
– Collecting and disseminating information
– Promoting best practices and supporting innovative programs, and Advocating for effective policies
Vision Statement:
We are a community committed to supporting a culture of health.
Board of Directors & Staff:
Healthy Savannah is operated by a diverse group of dedicated volunteers. Meet our Board and Staff here.
Partners:
Healthy Savannah brings together a network of over 200 public and private community organizations. We are proud to work with each and every one. Find out who Our Partners are.
Logo:
Our Logo was designed by a very talented SCAD alum, Yamie Shah. Explore the brand evolution with our inspiration and philosophy, Here.
Funding:
Over the last several years, Healthy Savannah has received grant funds from various public and private institutions including: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Healthcare Georgia Foundation, Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), Invest Health, Healthiest Cities and Counties Challenge, City of Savannah, Plan for Health, Voices for Healthy Kids, No Kid Hungry, and more.
For a full break down of recent Healthy Savannah funding check out a recent Funding Overview. updated January 2017
Racial & Ethnic Approaches to Community Health
In November of 2018, Healthy Savannah & the YMCA of Coastal Georgia were awarded a five-year, $3.4 million collaborative grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Racial & Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Project was started by the CDC in 1999 to help reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic populations with the highest burden of chronic disease, (i.e. hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity), through culturally tailored interventions that address preventable risk behaviors, (i.e. poor nutrition, smoking and physical inactivity). For a full explanation of the REACH Project, visit our REACH Overview Page.
