The Delta Rural Health Initiative, headquartered at Le Bonheur Community Outreach in Jackson, Tenn., is a collaborative effort of multiple healthcare and social-service organizations located in seven counties in rural West Tennessee.  The services offered through the network are designed to address risk factors associated with diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. 

The develpment of these programs were based on a community needs based assessment conducted in each county. The assessments indicated that the most common risk factors associated with chronic diseases included obesity, lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, lack of resources for prescription medication, lack of education and unwillingness by individuals to make lifestyle changes.

Since 2004, Delta Rural Health projects have achieved these results:

• Search Your Heart’s cardiovascular and stroke-prevention program has yielded 2,294 program participants in a total of 80 educational church programs.
• Food and Youth Initiative has served a total of 1,087 students in grades 2-4; 54 teachers also participated in program activities.
• Lace Up for a Good Life has been hosted in 11 schools with a total of 217 participants. A total of 677 pounds was lost during the program.
• Pharmacy Assistance has served 70 clients and saved a reported $5,243.78 in prescription costs for their clients.
• Dining with Diabetes has served 99 diabetics and contributed to the loss of 161 pounds.
• Tennessee Shapes Up has hosted three programs in Henderson County involving 169 program participants.
• Children and Family Services has implemented a chronic disease management program and pharmacy assistance for 143 participants.
• Worksite Wellness has a total of 1,100 teammates working in various industries.