Martinsville/Henry County – Healthy Hearts Initiative

Mission: To address disparities and economical barriers for a healthy sustainable lifestyle while increasing heart health in the community.

Vision: A community that is empowered to make healthy choices by changing negative health attitudes and behaviors with skills to live a heart healthy lifestyle.

The LC's Priority Issues Include:

  • Blood pressure control/heart disease and stroke prevention
  • Education
  • Nutrition
  • Physical activity
  • Transportation
  • Mental health
  • Environmental health
  • Social well-being

MHC Learning Collaborative Goals:

  1. Promote healthy lifestyles in the community through health education programs and wellness events.
  2. Reduce hypertension in the community from 53% to 43% by June 2026.
  3. Increase physical activity in the community by introducing safe and fun ways to exercise.
  4. Increase participation by providing reliable transportation.
  5. Increase access to healthy and nutritious foods.

Members:

  • Jerelle Carter
  • LaDonna Hairston
  • Lillian Martin
  • Latoya Preston
  • Misty Wilson
  • Natalie Bassett
  • Fay DeShazo
  • CHW: Loleader Valentine
  • CHW: Christa Moore

Local Data:

Location Asthma           Heart Disease          Diabetes          Stroke          COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Hypertension
Henry County 15.7% 10.1% 23.2% 5.3% 11.2% 44.9%
Martinsville City 12.4% 8.4% 22.0% 5.2% 9.8% 45.1%
Virginia 13.5% 5.9% 11.1% 3.0% 5.3% 32.4%
United States 9.2% 6.4% 11.1% 3.2% 6.4% 32.6%

 

Priority Census Tracts:

Learn More (see map at bottom of page)

Map of the census tracts prioritized by the MHC Healthy Hearts Learning Collaborative
Last Updated: February 5, 2025