LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 17, 2016) — The City of Little Rock has been selected by Reinvestment Fund and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to take part in the new Invest Health initiative. Invest Health is aimed at transforming how leaders from mid-size American cities work together to help low-income communities thrive, with specific attention to community features that drive health such as access to safe and affordable housing, places to play and exercise, and quality jobs.

Little Rock was selected from more than 180 teams from 170 communities that applied to the initiative. Cities with populations between 50,000 and 400,000 were asked to form five-member teams, including representatives from the public sector, community development, and an anchor institution, preferably academic or health-related.

The City of Little Rock team comprises representatives from the City of Little Rock, Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, Better Community Development and Southern Bancorp, Inc.   The team will seek to address health outcome disparities related to domestic violence and obesity, and the factors leading to health disparities, such as violent crime and housing, by targeting efforts in geographic locations within Little Rock that show the most deviation from the broader population.

“We are honored to be part of the team selected for this national initiative to tackle important quality of life challenges seen in our communities,” Mayor Mark Stodola said. “This collaboration with our local partners has already created a common vision for what we hope to accomplish, and the guidance we receive will help us more quickly execute this viable plan to become a healthier city.” 

Mid-size American cities face some of the nation’s deepest challenges with entrenched poverty, poor health and a lack of investment. But they also offer fertile ground for strategies that improve health and have the potential to boost local economies. The program has the potential to fundamentally transform the way Little Rock improves opportunities to live healthy lives by addressing the drivers of health including jobs, housing, education, community safety and environmental conditions.

“With a long history in community development finance, we are excited to help create a pipeline to channel capital into low-income communities through public and private investments,” said Amanda High, Chief of Strategic Initiatives at Reinvestment Fund. “Our goal is to transform how cities approach tough challenges, share lessons learned and spur creative collaboration.”

Over the next 18 months, Invest Health teams will take part in a vibrant learning community, have access to highly skilled faculty advisors and coaches who will guide their efforts toward improved health, and receive a $60,000 grant. The City of Little Rock will also engage a broader group of local stakeholders to encourage local knowledge sharing.

“Public officials, community developers, and many others have been working in low-income neighborhoods for years, but they haven’t always worked together,” said Donald Schwarz, MD, MPH, MBA, RWJF Vice President, Program. “Invest Healthaims to align their work and help neighborhoods thrive by intentionally incorporating health into community development.”

Through this project the City of Little Rock will explore a broad range of ideas to improve public safety and walkability, rehabilitate housing, and offer healthier food options in target areas.  Project teams will travel to Philadelphia for a kick-off meeting June 7 and will meet regularly to share lessons learned throughout the 18-month project.  A full list of awardees and more information is available at www.investhealth.org.  

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About The Reinvestment Fund

Reinvestment Fund is a catalyst for change in low-income communities. We integrate data, policy and strategic investments to improve the quality of life in low-income neighborhoods. Using analytical and financial tools, we bring high-quality grocery stores, affordable housing, schools and health centers to the communities that need better access—creating anchors that attract investment over the long term and help families lead healthier, more productive lives. Learn more at reinvestment.com.

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

For more than 40 years the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has worked to improve health and health care. We are striving to build a national Culture of Health that will enable all to live longer, healthier lives now and for generations to come. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter at www.rwjf.org/twitter or on Facebook at www.rwjf.org/facebook.