What happens after a nonprofit group gets the “Big Check” donation? Better Tennessee magazine finds out. Its stories go straight to the source, hearing from the people who get help, or give help, from organizations supported by the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation and Community Trust.

The new issue’s cover story explores the way that Kingsport, Tennessee, (population 53,028) is using the Collective Impact model to encourage healthier habits among a population that has a high rate of obesity and diabetes. Healthy Kingsport serves as the backbone organization in coordinated campaigns involving the city’s workplaces, schools and local policies. Residents are surrounded with opportunities to choose nutritious foods, take a walk, or stick to the decision to quit smoking as they go through their day. The goal is to make the healthy choice the default choice, and Kingsport is seeing steady success with each campaign.

Other organizations featured include the Law Enforcement Innovation Center in Oak Ridge, which trains first responders to administer Narcan to drug overdose victims; Be Well at NPL, a community activities program offered at Nashville Public Libraries; Susannah’s House, a recovery program in Knoxville for drug-addicted mothers; and Woman’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, which helps women from the city’s poorest neighborhood gain skills to become self-sufficient.

The magazine also looks at the long-lasting effects of traumatic childhood events, and why Tennessee is shifting its focus from intervention to prevention in the battle against adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Better Tennessee magazine is distributed to healthcare providers, state legislators, community leaders and others in the healthcare industry throughout the state. All stories are available to the general public on the Better Tennessee website.