Richmond Health Center recognized as ‘Site of Distinction’

RICHMOND – Richmond Area Health Center has been recognized as a “Let’s Go! Site of Distinction 5210.”
Let’s Go! is a nationally recognized childhood obesity prevention program helping create healthier communities, reaching children and their families wherever they live, learn, work, and play to promote improved nutrition and increased physical activity.

Richmond Area Health Center is one of 11 practices of HealthReach Community Health Centers, providing medical and behavioral health services to local residents from birth through retirement and beyond.
HealthReach has partnered with Let’s Go! since 2013. This past year, Richmond engaged children and families with the 5210 message — five servings of fruits and vegetables, two hours or less of recreational screen time, one hour or more of physical activity, and no sugary drinks — through posters in the waiting room and in every pediatric exam room. In addition, the staff utilized the Healthy Habits questionnaire and measured patients’ body mass index, or BMI, at every well child check to begin conversations with patients about healthy weight and overall wellness. Richmond further engaged the community with the 5210 message by hosting an annual 5K race with 48 participants completing the race. They also partnered with the Umberhine Public Library in Richmond to hold a 5210-themed poster contest for the 10 children participating in the library’s summer reading program.
“Through our collaboration with the 5210 team, we have integrated evidence-based approaches to discussing healthy behaviors,” shared Emma Ansara, FNP, clinical medical director at HealthReach. “Having concrete and easy-to-use tools has made addressing goals for weight, physical exercise and nutrition more of a reality at annual well child visits.”
HealthReach Community Health centers are dedicated providing high quality medical and behavioral health care to citizens in more than 80 rural communities.