Fairfield County Health Department Receives Alzheimer’s Association Grant to Promote Brain Health and Bolster Dementia Resources for Residents in Fairfield County

Article Presented By Adena Health…

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, OHIO — The Fairfield County Health Department is one of 12 health departments nationwide selected to receive funding, education and technical assistance from the Alzheimer’s Association. The support will help strengthen local efforts to promote brain health and address dementia-related challenges.

The grant and additional resources are provided through the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Strategist Program. Led in partnership with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the program equips local health departments with tools and resources to establish a part-time Road Map Strategist, a public health professional who serves as a systems-change leader advancing population health approaches from the HBI Road Map for State and Local Public Health, 2023-2027.

FCHD is excited to be included in this elite group of local health departments,” said Joe Ebel, Health Commissioner. “This grant and additional resources will help us support the cognitive well-being of our community while expanding services for individuals and families affected by dementia.”

Road Map Strategists will work in coordination with public health partners, including health systems. With support from the Alzheimer’s Association, NACCHO and a peer network, Strategists will conduct a public health needs assessment, build partnerships, increase internal capacity and train their colleagues to address dementia as a public health issue.

“Public health is instrumental in promoting brain health, increasing access to diagnostic services, and supporting people living with dementia and their caregivers,” said John Shean, MPH, director of the Healthy Brain Initiative. “We’re seeing more local public health take on this work, and we’re excited to collaborate with these 12 new city and county health departments as they lead the way to improving health in their communities.”