Howard County Health Freedom Walk

"Howard County Health Department, along with C.H.A.M.P. (Community Health Awareness and Monitoring Program) held the Third Annual Howard County Health Freedom Walk. The walk promoted increased physical activity and better health habits particularly in our African American community. Joining walkers in the rain and cold was Howard County Council Chair, Calvin Ball.

The 3K walk followed many of the Underground Railroad sites in Howard County and will honor those who traveled the Railroad in their quest for freedom.

This year the walk began at the Benjamin Banner Park, the homestead of the first renowned African-American man of mathematics and science. The path continued along a pathway of six historical sites and included the Ellicott City Colored School."

Health Department Receives Half-Million Dollar Grant for Healthy Howard Plan

The Howard County Health Department announced on March 28, 2008 it was the recipient of a $500,000 donation from The Horizon Foundation, to help fund the Healthy Howard Plan; the health care access program for the County’s uninsured.

“Our organization likes innovation,” said Foundation President & CEO Richard M. Krieg, “and Healthy Howard exemplifies how government can innovate to address core community issues. The grant is predicated on awareness that the Foundation and the Health Department share some fundamental goals; among them improving healthcare access for underserved county residents.”

County Health Officer Dr. Peter Beilenson says “We are extremely grateful for Horizon’s very generous contribution to the Healthy Howard Access Plan. Because of it, Howard County will become one of only two jurisdictions in the country on the road to achieving the goal of universal health access. County Executive Ken Ulman adds "The Horizon Foundation has always risen to the challenge when the County needed it. I'm ecstatic, but not surprised, that they have done so again."

The Healthy Howard Plan will offer primary care services, discounted prescription drugs, hospital care, and dental access, as well as specialty care services for 2,000 county residents beginning in the Fall of 2008.