Welcome to the Equitable Neighborhoods Initiative

November 2022

About the Equitable Neighborhoods Initiative

The Equitable Neighborhoods Initiative is a project of the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development that equips communities to address the COVID-19 pandemic-related issues of today while building capacity to deal with the health and quality of life challenges of tomorrow. Our goal is to create healthier communities across Alabama. 

Read more about ENI's lasting impact at www.enialabama.org.

A Community-Building Approach to Health Equity

ENI is a community-focused, community-shaped initiative. Community members will mold ENI through local Advisory Groups and Youth Community Councils. Together, youth and adults will work to improve health outcomes for their town.

ENI communities will develop programming for their unique culture and community assets. Each community will:

• Develop a local health equity plan
• Draft a health resource directory
• Create a “healing zone” (natural space to provide recreation and improve physical and mental health)

The ENI Leadership Team & Community Liaisons met for the second ENI retreat earlier this month to build leadership skills as a team and to equip teammates to build capacity in our partner communities.

Welcome to the Equitable Neighborhoods Initiative

By Dr. Arturo Menefee

Welcome to the Equitable Neighborhoods Initiative (ENI) blog! I am Dr. Arturo Menefee, Director of Leadership Development for The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development (UACED). I serve as the project director for ENI. I’m glad you’re interested in learning more. So, what is ENI? ENI equips communities to address...  Read more.

Another School Year, Another COVID Year

By Debbie Quinn

So, this is another school year and a repeat of every school year that has ever come before. For the first six weeks, classrooms become swamp-like. Colds, runny noses, sneezing, and flu-like symptoms are everywhere. When you put that many kids together, we know that kids will be kids, and children will touch things and spread germs like wildfire. But the pandemic... Read more.

Mental Health in Asian American Communities

By Khiaw Srihanouvong

Mental health struggles do not discriminate. They can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or religious background. The Asian community tends to keep mental health issues very private. It’s considered a taboo subject. I live in Alabama’s Gulf Coast region, and I’ve noticed it is less common for Asian individuals to go to hospitals... Read more.

This initiative focuses on a community’s greatest strength—its people. ENI is hiring local leaders to work alongside industry experts. By building leadership capacity in each of our partner communities, ENI is investing in the future of its communities, and the people within them. Meet the team making it happen.

Funding Acknowledgement: The Equitable Neighborhoods Initiative is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support, under 1 NH75OT000104-01-00.  Disclaimer: The content of the Equitable Neighborhoods Initiative are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of or endorsement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.