The Martinsville/Henry County Healthy Hearts Learning Collaborative is owned and managed by community members. The Virginia Department of Health, as a core partner, provides ongoing support including state and local public health collaboration, chronic disease prevention program training and resources, chronic disease data, leadership and advocacy training, funding opportunities, survey and newsletter design, and webpage maintenance.
Mission: To address disparities and economical barriers for a healthy sustainable lifestyle while increasing heart health in the community.
Vision: A community that is empowered to make healthy choices by changing negative health attitudes and behaviors with skills to live a heart healthy lifestyle.
The LC's Priority Issues Include:
- Blood pressure control/heart disease and stroke prevention
- Education
- Nutrition
- Physical activity
- Transportation
- Mental health
- Environmental health
- Social well-being
MHC Learning Collaborative Goals:
- Promote healthy lifestyles in the community through health education programs and wellness events.
- Reduce hypertension in the community from 53% to 43% by June 2026.
- Increase physical activity in the community by introducing safe and fun ways to exercise.
- Increase participation by providing reliable transportation.
- Increase access to healthy and nutritious foods.
Members:
- Jerelle Carter
- LaDonna Hairston
- Lillian Martin
- Latoya Preston
- Misty Wilson
- Natalie Bassett
- Fay DeShazo
- CHW: Loleader Valentine
- CHW: Christa Moore
Local Data:
| Location | Asthma | Heart Disease | Diabetes | Stroke | COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) | Hypertension |
| Henry County | 15.7% | 10.1% | 23.2% | 5.3% | 11.2% | 44.9% |
| Martinsville City | 12.4% | 8.4% | 22.0% | 5.2% | 9.8% | 45.1% |
| Virginia | 13.5% | 5.9% | 11.1% | 3.0% | 5.3% | 32.4% |
| United States | 9.2% | 6.4% | 11.1% | 3.2% | 6.4% | 32.6% |
Priority Census Tracts:
Learn More (see map at bottom of page)
Last Updated: May 12, 2025