Ky.gov

Our Healthy Kentucky Home

Our Healthy Kentucky Home

Bridging the Gap: Community Health Workers in Kentucky

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Our Healthy Kentucky Home: Year 2

​A Team Kentucky initiative to engage and inspire Kentuckians on a personal journey of achievable health and wellness improvements. Year two of the Our Healthy Kentucky Home Initiative will continue to promote simple, healthy lifestyle changes with a special focus on helpful health and wellness programs available to all Kentuckians throughout the commonwealth. 

​​Kentucky Statistics

According to the 2023 America's Health Rankings, the United Health Foundation reported that the Commonwealth of Kentucky ranked 41st for overall health. Additionally, the 2024 Kentucky Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey reports that:​

  • 33% of adults were obese 
  • 21% did not engage in non-work physical activity (i.e., exercise)​
  • 17% of adults smoked cigarettes​
  • 29% of adults reported having depression ​
  • 16% of adults reported having diabetes
  • 18% of adults reported having heart disease​

These factors all contribute to a diminished quality of life and contribute to premature death. ​ 

The Our Healthy Kentucky Home initiative was built on a simple truth: when every Kentuckian has the opportunity to live a healthier life, our entire commonwealth becomes stronger. Here in Kentucky, health isn’t just found in clinics or hospitals; it’s built where we live, work, worship, and grow. And at the heart of that work are hundreds of public health programs and resources designed to improve the overall health and wellness of the communities they serve.​​

Community Health Workers

Community health workers serve as vital links between healthcare systems and their communities, promoting health, providing education, and advocating for individual needs. These individuals are trusted neighbors and friends, often from the same communities they serve. 

Community health workers walk beside families every day—connecting Kentuckians to doctors, helping them understand diagnoses, scheduling screenings, finding transportation, applying for coverage, and more. Most importantly, they ensure the members of their community feel seen and supported. ​

Resources​

ASTHO | Why Kentucky Chose to Pursue Community Health Worker Certification​

APHA | Community Health Workers ​

KDPH | Office of Community Health Workers​

​Share Your Journey With Us

Tell us how you are personalizing the Our Healthy Kentucky Home campaign to meet your unique circumstances by emailing us at: ​OurHealthyKYHome@ky.gov​​

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Promote Our Heal​thy Kentucky Home Today

​​​​Our Healthy Kentucky Home initiative materials are available to help communicate the importance of making health and wellness accessible through clear, simple, and achievable lifestyle changes. We encourage you to share the resources provided here and join us in strengthening Our Healthy Kentucky Home. ​​


Our Healthy Kentucky Home Initiative ​Packet​​: Year 2



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Our Healthy Kentucky Home Initiative Year 2 Poster​ 12x18 inches

Our Healthy Kentucky Home Initiative Year 2 Poster​ -8.5x11 inches​​​

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Shareable Messages 

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Simple steps such as eating 2 servings of fruits or vegetables daily, exercising at least 30 minutes 3 times per week and engaging with others to stay connected can help improve your overall health. Learn how a community health worker can help you on your health journey through healthy eating, exercising and engagement. Visit: OurHealthyKyHome.ky.gov to learn more. Join the #OurHealthyKyHome campaign. ​


Community Health Workers (CHWs) serve as vital links between healthcare systems and the communities they serve, promoting health, providing education, and advocating for individual needs. CHWs often come from the same communities they serve, giving them insight into the cultural and social challenges their friends and neighbors face.To learn more about community health workers, please visit: OurHealthyKyHome.ky.gov. Join the #OurHealthyKyHome campaign. 

Community health workers (CHWs) play a crucial role in addressing nutrition needs within their communities. They provide education, support, and advocacy for healthy eating habits, improving the overall health and well-being of community members. Some of the ways CHWs help with nutrition needs include: Access to healthy, culturally appropriate food, Connecting people to food resources such as food banks, SNAP benefits, and local extension offices, Initiating community programs, Addressing common nutrition myths. To learn more about community health workers and the vital role they play within their communities, Visit OurHealthyKyHome.ky.gov to learn more. Join the #OurHealthyKyHome campaign.

Hey Kentucky! Did you know?
Community health workers (CHWs) promote healthy living in their communities by encouraging physical activity. By advocating for accessible exercise spaces, supporting organized activities like walking clubs or yoga classes, and building partnerships with community members and professionals, CHWs help create environments where exercise is a norm, leading to improved health outcomes and a higher quality of life for all community members. To learn more, visit: OurHealthyKyHome.ky.gov. Join the #OurHealthyKyHome campaign. 

Contact Information

​OurHealthyKYHome@ky.gov​​​
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