America's Healthiest Hometown
 

On what basis did The Villages earn the title "America's Healthiest Hometown"?

Apparently, we got this title when the alliance first formed between USF Health and The Villages. It was printed on the first hand-out at the first lecture, long before the USF Health Survey.

But then it was stated at one of the lectures that we would be compared to other retirement communities. This was to find out how we rank. In addition to that, a letter was mailed to every Villager, in advance of the survey, stating that the information gathered would be compared to other populations across the U.S.

The goal was stated from the very beginning that the purpose of the alliance was to make The Villages America's Healthiest Hometown. Then when we were told in advance that the results of the survey would be compared with other communities, that brought it down to the level of a competition. This, in my opinion, renders the survey invalid. It's a biased faulty-study. Junk-science.

What about the next survey, can it be fixed? I don't think so. (The cat is out of the bag.) It will just be more wasted public money and it's our money that's being wasted.

The title was not an indicator of an achievement, but a stated goal of the alliance. The surveys' intent was to see where TV stands in comparison to similar and other communities. You need to know where you are in order to know whether you have progressed subsequently. Give 'em a break, VPL.

I think the "title" was made up by some marketing person...:loco:

Yes, I stated in my opening post that it was their stated goal to become America's Healthiest Hometown. But they actually took the title long before any attempt at earning it.

I also agree that the survey was to see where TV stands in comparison to similar and other communities. However, to do good science (i.e. to keep bias out) they should never have told us. Essentially, it was likely interpreted by many Villagers that we were in competition to see who's the best/healthiest.

The majority (about 2/3?) did not participate. Were they the least well among us? Would some drop out because of not wanting to be a drag on the overall result?

I think you hit the nail on the head. And the fact that USF Health adopted it as their slogan, from the very beginning, was a bad sign that the fix was in. They received BIG grant money to come here and, by gosh, they were aiming to be successful, no matter what.

It's a slogan. We are the friendliest too.

Yes, of course it's a slogan, not an earned distinction. As stated it's a goal. Does it really matter if they design a survey that would tend to place them in a favorable light? Does anyone trust a marketing slogan to make health decisions? Or do they evaluate the care they are receiving to see if it meets their expectations and needs.

Does anyone see the enormity of the task to try to make a community of mostly seniors who have had 30, 40, 50 years or more of questionable lifestyle habits into the healthiest hometown?

This thread is not about "the enormity of the task". Let's not change the subject.

Yes, it certainly does matter if one is trying to do good (unbiased) science. The survey should not be in any particular light, whether favorable or unfavorable. What good are the results when influenced by the researchers?

Otherwise, what is the purpose of a double-blind study when drugs are tested?

:popcorn: As Mikeod said, it's a marketing slogan, not an earned distinction!

It is a slogan and a goal. Just like being the "Friendliest HomeTown".

I am a RN who just moved here within the last year. It is very evident to me that they are working hard to make health care convenient and effective. We have been very impressed. The union with USF helps not only us, but it certainly gives the Medical school access to a large pool of seniors. The research they obtain from this population here in TV, will help improve healthcare for seniors everywhere.

The activities offered for our population, the health related seminars, the accessibility to primary care and specialists make this a very unique place. I applaud the slogan!

Not real sure what point you are trying to make.

USF pulled out of the study

Here is their explanation

USF pulls out of its $4 million specialty care clinic at the Villages | Tampa Bay Times

Wow! That is news to me.....I must admit. Funny how you don't see that in "The Daily Sun".
I think if they had waited and seen the numbers in the 2nd year and the winter high season, they might have made a different decision.
Very disappointing!

USF did not pull out of the study. They are not staffing the clinic. Big difference. The article says: "University officials insist they are still committed to the Villages. Public health research, which was the first piece of the project, continues. The medical school has sent its first resident to the area to train with Villages physicians."

I am thinking "SALES HYPE" just like America's Friendliest

A lot of activity
 

When I first moved here I saw the words "Healthiest Home Town" and thought to myself wow, here's a place that must be serving healthy food at more restaurants than what I'm used to. I thought it had to do with food. Now, I realize that it maybe due to the amount of activities available to each of us at any given time so that we may be healthier from an exercise and activity point of view. So, if we eat all of the fried, fatty foods that are available to eat at least we can work it off!