Live HealthSmart Alabama (LHSA) is working to make good health simple by addressing the social determinants of health across Alabama. Thanks to LHSA’s preventive care-focused programs and services, residents across the greater Birmingham and Selma areas have access to resources that promote healthy choices. To accomplish this, LHSA relies on the support of dedicated partners who share its vision of building healthier communities. 

Novo Nordisk: A Partnership Making an Impact

One of LHSA’s key supporters is Novo Nordisk, inc., a global pharmaceutical company focused on defeating chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes. Recognizing the high rates of obesity and diabetes in Alabama, particularly across the Black Belt Region of the state, the company chose to partner with LHSA.

Novo Nordisk’s contribution of $2.47 million is helping expand LHSA’s reach into Alabama’s Black Belt, including the communities of Selma, Camden, Demopolis, and beyond. The partnership represents a shared commitment to reducing barriers to healthy choices and improving access to resources like nutrition, wellness services, and safe spaces for physical activity.

"I thought it was remarkable how UAB was designing a project informed by the community members," says Apu Patel, Director of US Corporate Sustainability & Social Impact at Novo Nordisk. "The idea that UAB would work with the community to identify a built environment project that they could see, and that helped build trust within the community, so that we could layer on other interventions, like the Mobile Market and Mobile Wellness initiatives, was really appealing to us."

This focus on listening and collaborating with the community resonated with Novo Nordisk. By working with LHSA, Novo Nordisk could ensure interventions are implemented to address the community's needs.

Looking Ahead

The partnership between Novo Nordisk and LHSA has already proven successful in several areas across Selma through improvements to the built environment, the expansion of Mobile Wellness services, and more.

"What makes the Selma project so interesting is the response we received from the community and local government. You begin to see other organizations like Alabama Power and local construction companies saying, ‘We're going to throw our hats in the ring with you’ — which allows UAB to integrate those interventions and some of those donations in a way that serves that community more broadly,” said Patel. “It’s the kind of collective impact we talk about but rarely witness in action.”