See all Knowledge Center Articles
Wellbeing & Public Health

Metro-Atlanta Wellbeing Initiative

June 10, 2024

The Metro Atlanta Cities Wellbeing Initiative (MACWI) was an eight-month program designed for city leaders to expand their knowledge of well-being topics and use data to inform policy development. MACWI was created through a partnership between the Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement (ARCHI), the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), Georgia City Solutions (GCS), and the University of Georgia College of Public Health.


Download the final report

Six metro Atlanta cities participated in MACWI, with representation from elected officials, city management, fire services, parks and recreation, and local businesses. The first half of MACWI featured subject matter experts discussing stewardship, social determinants of health, health equity, systems thinking, and peer learning. In the second half, participants applied their learnings to develop policy action plans based on the CDC’s policy process, using a MACWI-developed well-being glossary and metric factsheets.

MACWI demonstrates the potential to build the capacity of city-level leaders to use data to impact community-wide well-being. The initiative also highlights the increased effectiveness of engaging a variety of partners in well-being efforts.

Learn more about each city's efforts by watching these short videos:

The DEN: A Hub for Essential Wraparound Services in Atlanta

Throughout the Metro-Atlanta Cities Wellbeing Initiative, the City of Atlanta utilized data to create an action plan aimed at addressing youth violence by improving access to essential needs for community members. To achieve this, the city partnered with The DEN at Jean Childs Young Middle School in Atlanta.

Community Wellbeing and Art in Chamblee

In this video, Chamblee city staff discuss the connection between community well-being and art. Participants provide examples and plans demonstrating how their Parks and Recreation department incorporates the arts within public spaces, emphasizing the importance of public spaces and art in enhancing community wellbeing.

Addressing Food Insecurity in College Park

Throughout the Metro-Atlanta Cities Wellbeing Initiative, the city of College Park focused on addressing food insecurity. Participants in College Park recognized the importance of visualizing the impact of food insecurity by identifying the presence of food deserts.

Using Data to Pinpoint Wellbeing Needs in Decatur

Through the Metro Atlanta Cities Wellbeing Initiative, Decatur focused on promoting wellbeing by increasing access to physical activities and social opportunities for adults aged 19-64 and 65 and older. The city used fire department data to identify areas needing fall interventions based on the frequency of fall-related emergency calls.

Using Data to Drive Policy Making in East Point

Throughout the Metro-Atlanta City Wellbeing Initiative, East Point used data to continue to address food insecurity. For five years now, East Point has run the Healthy Point Initiative, which promotes the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle over a 90-day period each year.
Share: