About Wellville
Lake County is currently ranked at the bottom of California’s 58 counties for poorest health due to death from all causes
Contributing factors:
The “Way to Wellville” began as a nationwide contest in search of 5 communities with population of less than 100,000 that wanted to make a dramatic upward shift in their county’s poor health profile
The contest was launched by HICCup, the Health Initiative Coordinating Council. Angel investor, Esther Dyson founded the organization in 2013.
Three levels of application resulted in selection of the Wellville 5 — the last step being a site visit. In July 2014, the HICCup Team visited Lake County and in August it was selected as one of the Wellville 5.
The Wellville 5 includes Clatsop County, Oregon; Greater Muskegan, Michigan; Niagara Falls, New York and Spartanburg, South Carolina
The Way to Wellville has shifted from a contest to a “Challenge” and has moved away from the concept of a grand prize awarded to the one community making most progress at the end of 5 years
Wellville is not a grant—no funds are provided upfront. The HICCup Board represents a wide range of expertise, experience, and connection to resources nationwide. HICCup makes access to these resources available to the Wellville 5.
Contributing factors:
- Double the state rate of adult tobacco use, leading to ranking in bottom 5 counties for lung cancer
- Ranking in bottom 5 counties for heart disease and stroke
- Ranking in bottom 5 counties for suicide and drug-induced deaths
The “Way to Wellville” began as a nationwide contest in search of 5 communities with population of less than 100,000 that wanted to make a dramatic upward shift in their county’s poor health profile
The contest was launched by HICCup, the Health Initiative Coordinating Council. Angel investor, Esther Dyson founded the organization in 2013.
Three levels of application resulted in selection of the Wellville 5 — the last step being a site visit. In July 2014, the HICCup Team visited Lake County and in August it was selected as one of the Wellville 5.
The Wellville 5 includes Clatsop County, Oregon; Greater Muskegan, Michigan; Niagara Falls, New York and Spartanburg, South Carolina
The Way to Wellville has shifted from a contest to a “Challenge” and has moved away from the concept of a grand prize awarded to the one community making most progress at the end of 5 years
Wellville is not a grant—no funds are provided upfront. The HICCup Board represents a wide range of expertise, experience, and connection to resources nationwide. HICCup makes access to these resources available to the Wellville 5.