A small group of Ethel residents, including the mayor and two aldermen, joined representatives of the Missisippi Department of Health community health initiative to start working toward a healthier Ethel.
Darmyra Perry, MDH community health director, and Eileen Carr-Tabb, MDH community health educator, led the group in identifying projects that, if implemented, would lead residents of Ethel to have healthier lifestyles.
Perry and Carr-Tabb showed a short video exlaining how important environment is to the health of community residents.
“Health is embedded in the larger conditions in which we live and work,” the narrator said during the video.
Ethel Mayor Gwen Sims said she hopes residents will serve on the council and/or come up with project ideas for the community.
“There is a lot we can do here. We just need to get started and get the community involved,” said Sims.
The first step is for a local council to be formed to set priorities for the community. Ideas ranging from improving open space for exercise to better access to affordable healthy foods were discussed. Additional efforts could target improved housing and economic opportunity for residents, as well as more access to healthcare.
Participants also said getting trash under control and repairing roads and water lines would be good start-up initiatives.
