Boyd and Greenup Counties, Kentucky are nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains where the state lines of Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia meet. Total population for the target area is 85,948, with per capita income of $26,212. Among adults in the area, 39% lack daily physical activity, 28% smoke, 77% are overweight and of those 31% are obese. The area outpaces the nation for cardiovascular deaths and for the prevalence of diabetes.

Obesity is a significant health concern for children and adolescents in our area. In 2009, a study of children, ages 7-12, enrolled in after-school programs in three school districts in Boyd and Greenup counties found that of the 330 children screened for BMI and blood pressure 49% were overweight or obese and 3% had high blood pressure.

To meet a growing need to create healthier communities, the Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Coalition (HKHC) was formed. The coalition is made up of more than 70 community leaders from 25+ organizations. The HKHC Coalition supports the ACHIEVE efforts by providing resources, gathering information on current policies and practices among schools and school districts, childcare agencies, workplaces, healthcare organizations and others. This allows us to work more closely with those involved in children's lives to bring best practices to life in schools, childcare facilities, healthcare and neighborhoods.

The CHART team serves as core leadership working with the Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities coalition multiplying the forces striving to improve the health of our community through policy, systems, and environmental change.