At Interact for Health, we envision a future where all people are healthy and thriving, no matter who they are or where they live. We believe that this future is within reach if we can tackle the root causes that undermine our health and well-being. As a community, it is important to understand – and to address – the conditions that prevent some of our neighbors from leading longer, healthier lives than others. The data that revealed a 26-year life expectancy gap between neighborhoods in West Newport, KY and Indian Hill, OH call on all of us act and served as a catalyst for our upcoming report “Our Health, Our Opportunity.”

This data served as a launching point, but the story here isn’t about data – it’s about people. It’s about the years of life and moments of joy we can put back into our community. It’s about the big, bold dreams every child deserves to pursue – no matter of their gender, race, ethnicity, or neighborhood. It’s the moments we cherish when we look back on our lives.

The data in this report represents the current realities of systemic racism, economic inequality, growing mental health needs, and disconnected communities, it is ultimately a story of hope and what we can make possible for the next generation in our region. We aim to make clear the conditions for health that we all deserve and how we can get there. Some of these solutions include:

  • Support locally led, proven public policies that build healthier communities such as legal support for renters facing eviction, smoke-free indoor air, paid sick leave, complete streets, and public green space.
  • Address structural racism and discrimination in our institutions—banking, education, criminal justice, housing, employment, and healthcare.
  • Strengthen safe and supportive spaces, people, and systems around youth in schools, at home, and in communities—amplifying the voices and solutions of young people along the way.
  • Ensure decision-making bodies represent the diverse communities they serve by equipping community members—including youth—with the knowledge, networks, and resources to organize and get civically engaged.

We hope you can join us for a free event with featured speaker Heather McGhee on Thursday, September 12 from 4-6 p.m. at The Grand Ballroom (6 E 5th St, Covington, KY 41011) Heather McGhee is the New York Times best-selling author of The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together. She will be in conversation with local community leaders about how these challenges play out in our daily lives and in our region – and how each of us can make a difference.  

We all have a role to play in making this vision a reality for our community, whether we are active citizens, philanthropic funders, decision-makers, or community leaders.

We invite you to join us on this journey: to use this data to better understand who we are and who we have the potential to be. To listen to the call to transform our community for longer, healthier lives.