ABOUT US

Healthy Harford, the Healthy Communities Initiative of Harford County, is a non profit 501c3, comprised of a coalition of Harford County government agencies, business and non profits dedicated to improving the health of Harford County residents. Founded in 1993 by community leaders from the Harford County Health Department, Harford County Government, and Upper Chesapeake Health, its sole vision is to make Harford County the healthiest community in Maryland.  Until 2008, Healthy Harford primarily conducted programmatic initiatives: health carnivals; free immunizations for school-aged children; publishing a series of user-friendly healthy guides concerning nutrition, substance abuse, cancer prevention, fitness, and heart health; and conducting Community Health Assessment Projects (CHAP) to help identify and prioritize health needs in our community. As these health assessments continually highlighted the detrimental affects excessive weight, poor eating habits, and lack of physical activity were having on Harford County residents in the form of preventable chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, as well as contributing to the leading cause of death in Harford County, heart disease, the Healthy Harford Board of Directors voted to take a more comprehensive community approach, and assemble a Community Action Team (CAT) to promote healthy eating habits and physical activity for the prevention of chronic disease and obesity in Harford County. The result is this website and all you find within. Please take the time to take advantage of all that there is to offer here, including community events, links to resources, and tips for healthier living. Also, please complete our community survey. The results will be used to develop a comprehensive Harford County Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan that will establish key priorities, goals, and objectives towards improving the overall health of our community.