Building Communities for Better Health (BCBH)

BCBH communities improve health outcomes in counties with the highest burden and worst chronic disease-related health outcomes. Improvements are made through policy, system and environmental change strategies and activities. Physical Inactivity, commercial tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure are two of the leading risk factors for chronic disease.

BCBH logo

 Wins and Successes

The city of Tarkio, MO passed a smokefree community ordinance January 2024. Click here to read more!

Salem, MO passed a smoke free ordinance that includes city owned buildings, vehicles and properties, including parks. Read more here.

On April 29th, 2024, MRT hosted an active transportation training for the current BCBH cohort. Read more here!

Next to Rise continues to train students from school to school. Students are learning how beneficial clean air for all Missourians would be and what they can do to help. See the excitement build on the Next to Rise blog.

Check out these big wins!

Click below to read the many success stories from Cohort 1 BCBH communities. The work that has been done to improve the health and wellness of residents living in these areas is amazing.

“P” is for Partnering to Promote Health at Parks

Making Water Flow for Health in Dallas County

The Road to Smoke Free Public Places

Taking Steps Forward in Creating a Safe, Accessible Lexington

Going Tobacco and Smoke-Free — because it Matters in Linn County

Supporting Smoke and Tobacco Free Parks in Pineville

Improving Health in Randolph County

Making Water Flow at Riverfront Park

Working Towards a Smoke-Free Schuyler County

“Growing” Healthy Food Access in Washington County

What's New? Click below to find out!

Preview of the Next to Rise Website

Next to Rise is a youth-led program that gives high school students a platform to work together to create positive change in Missouri. The program is a policy-focused health initiative funded by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Next to Rise connects with Missouri schools, clubs, and community organizations, including Building Communities for Better Health coalitions to become partners. Together, we hope to increase the number of indoor public spaces that are 100% smoke and vape-free in Missouri. Interested in partnering with us and serving Missouri communities?

Cohort 2 Participants

BCBH Kickoff Training

BCBH Kickoff Training

Leadership Team Training

Leadership Training with Tim Crowley

Active Transportation Training Moberly

Active Transportation Training Moberly

Smokefree Communities

One of the most effective ways to decrease secondhand smoke exposure is to implement smoke-free policies. The benefits of smoke-free policies include protection from secondhand smoke and e-cigarette aerosol, prevention of youth from starting tobacco use, they help people quit and stay quit and protect people from thirdhand smoke.

Tobacco-free policies protect all populations.

BCBH communities are working to increase and enhance comprehensive smoke/vape-free policies which include workplaces, bars, and restaurants along with offering cessation support. This strategy supports the overall goal of eliminating nonsmokers’ exposure to secondhand smoke.

Active Transportation

To increase the number of people with access to physical activity opportunities there should be a healthy built environment. This environment should create access to transportation and physical resources that enhance quality of life and minimize environmental contamination exposure.

This strategy should also support physical activity, safe and accessible recreation, and other protective factors that improve chronic disease outcomes.

BCBH communities are working to create, implement and promote these active transportation plans that support safe, accessible routes to everyday destinations such as homes, schools, parks, public spaces, and transit stops.