Healthcare Organizations

5210 is a community engagement initiative working to improve health behaviors that impact overweight and obesity. 5210 is rooted in the social-ecological model of behavior change, which acts upon policy, systems, and environments to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Evidence-based strategies are used to facilitate healthy eating and active living (HEAL) in education, schools, food bank pantries, and healthcare practices here in Washoe County. The more connected our community is to the effort, the more supported community members feel to make healthy choices.

Research has shown that primary care providers can and should play an important role in obesity prevention because they are in a unique position to partner with patients and families/caregivers and influence key components of developing community support. To be effective, we know that healthcare providers need tools and resources that are evidence-based, practical, accessible, and inclusive. 

Introducing the 5210 messages in the healthcare office not only provides a credible location for the messages, it also emphasizes the important role healthcare professionals can play in supporting healthy behaviors. 

The 5210 program can be easily woven into a practice’s busy day. We provide everything you need to get started, including a brief training for the entire staff. Once you become a registered site, you’ll have access to a free toolkit full of resources for staff and families, training by a physician champion, and technical assistance from a Health Educator. By getting involved with 5210 Healthy Washoe you’ll join a network of organizations just like yours, working to improve the health of our community.