Mycitymyhealth

02/10/2026

NOW LIVE: Fighting Food Insecurity in Iowa - Community Resource Interview with Jazzmine Brooks, MPA

We're excited to share this powerful conversation from the My City My Health Des Moines conference is now available on our YouTube channel!
Host Paula Bell, CBAP® sits down with Jazzmine, Director of Health Incentives at Iowa Healthiest State Initiative and panelist from our Food Insecurity discussion, to explore the real barriers to nutrition access and the innovative solutions making a difference.
Key Takeaways:
The Reality
Rural Iowans often travel far distances for grocery stores, shopping only 1-2 times per month.

Fresh produce is significantly more expensive than processed foods
Low-income families face impossible choices between rent and healthy food
Stigma falsely suggests people in poverty "choose" unhealthy eating.

The Solutions
Double Up Food Bucks: Health incentive program serving 79 counties across 172+ partner locations (grocery stores, farmers markets, CSAs).
Produce Prescription Program: Supporting families managing chronic illnesses like diabetes through fresh produce access.
Food Navigators: New initiative providing judgment-free education and conversation in communities.

Make It OK: Mental health awareness programming
Annual Walk: Engaging all 99 Iowa counties in community movement
The Impact Iowa Healthiest State is a local nonprofit with 7 dedicated team members (not a government agency!) creating systemic change in health equity.

"Everyone wants to eat healthy. Everyone wants to be well. But people are having to make choices." - Jazzmine Brooks

Watch now: https://lnkd.in/giu4-XYd
What strategies is your organization using to address food access? Share your insights below. 👇
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02/02/2026

Paula Bell sat down with Travis from Wellpoint at My City My Health 2025, and we learned SO much about the amazing resources available to Iowa Medicaid members!

Did you know Wellpoint offers:
💙 Housing assistance through their CHAMP program
💙 $100 gift cards for pregnant and nursing moms
💙 Rewards for staying on top of preventive care
💙 A mobile app (Sydney Health) that keeps your insurance card AND gives you access to telehealth 24/7

Travis shared, "People are not as concerned with their health when they're more concerned about where they're going to sleep that evening." That's why Wellpoint goes beyond traditional healthcare to support the WHOLE person.

👉 Watch the full interview and learn more about these life-changing programs!
Link: https://youtu.be/BwRZ2qX2XAY

Have you used any of Wellpoint's services? Share your experience in the comments! 👇

12/29/2025

Specialized care makes all the difference in diabetes management.

At the My City My Health Conference, our host Paula Bell, CBAP®, sat down with April from Iowa Diabetes to discuss what sets specialized diabetes care apart from general primary care—and why it matters for the 38+ million Americans living with diabetes.

Key insights from the conversation:

• The critical differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

• Why specialized expertise leads to better patient outcomes

• How research opportunities are expanding treatment options

• Iowa Diabetes's ambitious mission: reaching a million lives before 2027

12/01/2025

Excited to share our first Community Resource Podcast episode from My City My Health 2025!
Host Paula Bell sat down with Keesha Ward, MBA, Director of Development at the Alzheimer's Association Iowa Chapter, for an enlightening conversation about vital community resources.

Key takeaways:
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia—understanding the distinction matters
Over 60 FREE support groups available across Iowa for caregivers, individuals living with dementia, and families
$1M+ invested in research at the University of Iowa

The Alzheimer's Association offers comprehensive support at no cost. Visit alz.org to find resources in your area.

When you know better, you do better. Thank you, Keesha, for the incredible work you're doing in our community! 💜

11/26/2025

Libraries aren't just about books. Discover how they foster civic engagement through initiatives like community fridges. See ways you can support these vital community hubs and get involved.

11/04/2025

The Community Resource Podcast is an add-on that not only highlights the awesome community vendors but also informs our community about resources they may not be aware of.

Check out the first episode with this year's host, Paula Bell!

Don't forget the register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2025

11/04/2025

Heather M. Jones-Brown explains why participating in local elections is so important. They have a direct impact on your daily life. Every vote counts!

11/03/2025

The first episode of the Community Resource Podcast is now live.
This podcast lifts up the organizations and leaders working to support our community’s health.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/W1AEaEPCufc

Listen here: https://communityresource.transistor.fm/episodes/the-birth-of-my-city-my-health-a-conference-that-became-a-movement-community-resource-podcast-ep-1

In this first episode, we share how My City My Health started and why this work matters for every neighborhood.
Thank you to our host Paula Bell for kicking us off the right way.

Check it out and share it with someone who could benefit.

11/03/2025

The new My City Talks interview with civic engagement panelists Heather Jones-Brown and Victoria Weber is live.

You hear real steps on how to get involved locally and why it matters for your health and your community.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9LlSeqpQMK4

Listen to the audio: https://share.transistor.fm/s/8b373586

Key points:
• Local decisions shape daily life
• Transportation access affects health and opportunity
• Simple ways to engage without extra stress

The My City My Health Conference is right around the corner. If you enjoyed this conversation, you won't want to miss it live on 11/14. Register now at https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2025

What local issue will you plug into this month?

10/30/2025

Can't believe that we are right around the corner for the 4th My City My Health Des Moines! You don't want to miss!

Join us for the 4th Annual My City My Health Conference – Des Moines, IAWe’re back for another powerful day of connection, conversation, and community. The My City My Health Conference brings together local leaders, health professionals, advocates, and residents to explore what it means to build...

10/27/2025

A clip from last year's My City My Health Des Moines! If you want to be a part of more conversations like this, you still have time to register!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/my-city-my-health-des-moines--2025

10/21/2025

We continue to be a community on a mission. The mission starts again on 11/14.
Join us for the My City My Health Conference in Des Moines.
Register now: https://f.mtr.cool/ykrjdgmkjt