Getting Healthier Together

It’s a fact: Obesity is the major cause of many chronic illnesses that plague the residents of Eastern Connecticut. In 2015, Backus initiated news programs and continued other successful initiatives that got people eating and living healthier.

2015 was another very successful year for RX for Health—a program designed to make fresh fruits and vegetables available for children who are overweight or at risk of being overweight. Under the program pediatricians write prescriptions for fresh fruits and vegetables to be redeemed at the Norwich and Voluntown Farmers Market. At the market, families bring the scripts to the Backus Care Van and receive $20 worth of vouchers for fresh fruits, vegetables, farm fresh eggs, or whole grain bread. A registered dietitian or a healthy eating advocate is present to provide nutritional counseling to both children and their parents. In 2015, 85 families were registered for the program an increase from 51 the previous year.

In 2015, Backus continued its partnership with 26 local restaurants to provide made-to-order low sodium, heart friendly menu items. Each restaurant is provided with posters, menu inserts, table tents and brochures with tips for eating healthy. The program has been so successful, Backus teamed with Windham Hospital to begin offering the program in the Windham area.

In 2015, Backus teamed up with several community organizations to promote healthy living and nutrition including a partnership with United Community and Family Services (UCFS) and Thames Valley Council for Community Action (TVCCA) for a series on healthy eating and meal planning. The six one-hour sessions focused on the principals of healthy eating, planning a healthy meal on a budget, and keeping food activity journals to help complete goals.

Removing Barriers to Care