Live HealthSmart Alabama
With a $2.47 million gift from Novo Nordisk Inc., Live HealthSmart Alabama is applying its holistic health model in Selma, Camden, Demopolis and other underserved communities., a University of Alabama at Birmingham initiative to improve health outcomes across the state, is expanding into Alabama’s Black Belt after four years of transforming Birmingham neighborhoods. With a $2.47 million gift from Novo Nordisk, Inc., and the generous assistance of local, state and national partners, LHSA is applying its holistic health model in Selma, Camden, Demopolis and other underserved communities.
“We are excited to work together with leaders in Selma, Demopolis, Camden and other Black Belt communities to realize our vision for a healthier Alabama,” said LHSA Chief Executive Officer Mona Fouad, M.D., whose extensive experience addressing health disparities in the region dates to Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr.’s first term in the early 2000s. “By expanding access to nutritious food and health screenings, fostering exercise and civic pride in revitalized public spaces, and empowering rising leaders in these towns, we intend to lay the foundation for enduring, positive change.”
LHSA has been operating in 11 Birmingham communities since 2019 and has developed a playbook of evidence-based strategies to improve health outcomes, such as reducing chronic disease rates and improving access to healthy food. These strategies have been implemented in all 11 communities, and LHSA is seeing early positive results. In all these efforts, corporate partnership is vital, and LHSA’s goal could not be accomplished without a broad coalition of supporters and partners, like Novo Nordisk.
“UAB is excited to celebrate this milestone as we extend the successful LHSA model from Birmingham neighborhoods to a statewide presence, starting in Selma and ultimately reaching other Black Belt communities,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “We are deeply grateful to Novo Nordisk for making this progress possible, and to our many other corporate and community partners as we work together to improve health and revitalize neighborhoods throughout Alabama.”
LHSA works holistically to make good health simple and accessible for all Alabamians:
● Helping people take control of their health by offering free, comprehensive health screenings
● Encouraging physical activity and neighborhood pride by revitalizing and beautifying public spaces
● Increasing access to affordable, nutritious groceries through the Mobile Market and pop-up farmers’ markets
● Promoting healthy choices through educational outreach and community health coaches, who provide active navigation to reduce barriers to receiving appropriate health care
● Sustaining progress by investing in neighborhood stakeholders who will advocate for their communities
A region in recovery
According to Apurva Patel, director of Corporate Sustainability and Social Impact with Novo Nordisk, a shared emphasis on the social determinants of health — e.g. physical activity, access to equitable health care, availability of nutritious food and housing — made LHSA a natural partner.
“Our strategy is really about the prevention of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease,” Patel said. “And we needed to go where the need was: States in the South, like Alabama and Mississippi, had high rates of obesity and diabetes, particularly among the most vulnerable populations. We aren’t looking to invest the resources in communities that may have better access to care. It’s those marginalized communities that are often left behind.”
Dallas County faces deep challenges, including poverty, high crime, limited transportation and lack of access to health care. Recovery from a COVID-19 mortality rate 50 percent above Alabama’s average was made worse by a devastating EF2 tornado that struck Selma on Jan. 12, 2023.
LHSA is taking a collaborative approach in Selma, working with local leaders to address pressing needs like new, wind-resistant roofs in tornado-damaged Ward 8. LHSA partnered with Craig Scott and Councilor Michael Johnson to connect homeowners with the Strengthen Alabama Homes program, securing $400,000 in grants for 40 roof replacements. These upgrades protect against storms, reduce insurance costs and restore community hope.
LHSA is partnering with architecture and construction firms to rejuvenate East Selma’s community pond and park, enhancing public spaces to support health and neighborhood pride.
Healthy living
LHSA is revitalizing Ward 8’s community pond by addressing erosion, adding walkways, planting shade trees, repairing sidewalks and restoring the pond for fishing. These efforts aim to boost community pride, offer safe spaces for children and promote healthy lifestyles.
At Selma’s Sophia P. Kingston Elementary, LHSA partnered with HEAL United to introduce health-focused education. HEAL provides free lesson plans, tools and training to teachers, resulting in a 75 percent improvement in students’ cardiovascular and behavior scores within six months.
Physical education teacher Tevin Rudolph shared how the program inspired students to embrace healthy habits.
“Kids were amazed to learn they can stay strong at 50 and 60 if they start now,” Rudolph said.
While LHSA’s expansion into the Black Belt is just beginning, local leaders, partners and UAB staff are optimistic about its potential to create lasting change in Dallas County.
“Part of what we’re proving with UAB is that private companies, states and municipal governments can take on some of this investment in health outcomes, because it ultimately becomes cheaper than paying for the disease or paying for it down the road,” Patel said. “I think the learnings from Selma are starting to lay a seed that can truly transform public health in some of the most vulnerable communities in the country. And that would be an awesome legacy for UAB, and hopefully Novo, to have some influence on.”
To learn more about Live HealthSmart Alabama’s efforts across the state, visit its official website.