Mycitymyhealth

04/14/2026

https://open.substack.com/pub/mycitymyhealthinc/p/save-the-date-my-city-my-health-returns?r=4y5j5y&utm_medium=ios

We heard you. We built something better. Join us back at Curate DSM this November.

04/14/2026

🚨 SAVE THE DATE! 🚨

The 5th Annual My City My Health Conference is happening Friday, November 13, 2026 at Curate DSM (10 AM – 4 PM)!

Join us for a powerful day of community, connection, and action — all focused on moving Des Moines forward.

Tag a friend who needs to be in the room! 👇🏾
Add to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/event/01ynlfdynr7w

04/10/2026

We’re now on Substack.
My City My Health has always been community first. We never wanted our newsletter to be just a place for updates about the conference, speakers, or what we have coming up next.

We wanted it to feel like a real community space.
That is why we made the move to Substack.

This gives us a better way to share:
community updates
conference news
My City My Health initiatives
stories and organizations doing good work
conversations with the people who care about moving the city forward

More than anything, this gives us a place to engage with you more directly. You can read, comment, respond, and be part of the conversation with us in real time.

If you’ve supported My City My Health, been to a conference, partnered with us, or simply believe in community-driven change, we’d love for you to join us there.

Subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/e_hyFbpr
We’re a community on a mission.

03/16/2026

New episode available on YouTube.

At My City My Health Des Moines 2025, Paula Bell sat down with Cody Smith from the Iowa Environmental Council for a timely conversation about environment and health.

They discuss Iowa’s rising cancer burden, pollution, water quality, and why health equity has to include the places where people live, work, and raise their families.

This is an important conversation for anyone who cares about public health, policy, and healthier communities.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/9s1Nw_NlOFY

03/02/2026

The Community Resource Podcast has a new episode LIVE right now — and this one is important.
At the 2025 My City My Health Conference, special host Paula Bell sat down with Taryn Jonet from Delta Dental of Iowa to talk about something that doesn't get nearly enough attention — the dental benefits that are available to Medicaid members in Iowa that most people simply don't know about.

Delta Dental serves over 450,000 Iowans through their government programs, and they're not just helping people find a dentist. They're coordinating care, connecting members with transportation, partnering with nonprofits and community health centers, and making sure that oral health is accessible for everyone — not just those who can easily navigate the system.
If you or someone you love is on Medicaid, this episode could change how you access care. Listen now and then share this with someone who needs to hear it. 👇
https://share.transistor.fm/s/9682a8ec

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. 👇
hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

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