Quality of Life: New report details community indicators for health, poverty and innovation

MOBILE, Alabama – Want to know the percentage of households in Mobile with high speed internet access? Curious about how many Baldwin residents don’t having health insurance?

The Community Indicators Report: Counties in Focus 2012, released by The Community Foundation of South Alabama (CFSA), answers those questions and more, providing a snapshot of the overall wellbeing of those who call South Alabama home by tracking poverty, health and wellness issues, economic stability, educational attainment and innovation among other topics.

The purpose of the 119-page report is to inform, inspire and influence community members, policymakers and business leaders working to make improvements in the eight county South Alabama region, according to a news release provided by the Community Foundation.

“With all of the positive transitions happening in our area, this report highlights where we need to focus our resources and efforts so that everyone can reap the benefits,” said Dr. Bert Eichold, Chairman of the Board of the Community Foundation. “For example, if you are working on healthcare issues, it provides you with a better understanding of what communities need the most help and what the barriers to proper healthcare are. This allows your organization, government, etc. to direct time and resources to address the root causes of issues.”

Alvertha Penny, president and CEO of the Community Foundation said the report “captures the issues in our region and should be used as a guide for how we, as a community, work together, direct resources, and as an impetus for shifting our collective interest to improving the quality of life in the region.”

The Community Indicators Report also offers suggestions on how to address challenges such as poverty and poor health. The Community Foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit foundation that assists individuals, families, corporations and nonprofit organizations with charitable giving. The group professionally manages the investment of charitable funds established by members of the community and use returns to make grants to nonprofit organizations. The Community Foundation staff works with more than 400 charitable funds.