(Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Congressman Jim Himes (D-4) today congratulated the city of Bridgeport for being one of eight winners of the 2015 RWJF Culture of Health Prize awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Bridgeport was selected from more than 340 applicants across the country and will receive a cash prize of $25,000 in recognition of its commitment to building a culture of health.

“From the revitalization and reuse of long-neglected industrial properties like Remington Arms and Steelpointe, to its comprehensive commitment to clean energy, Bridgeport has made strong, sustained investments in the health of its environment, economy and residents. This major national prize rewards cities for building a culture that recognizes that efforts to improve public health must extend beyond the body—environment, economy and social structures cannot be ignored. We applaud Bridgeport for this well-deserved honor and look forward to continued progress delivering lasting, positive change for all residents,” said Blumenthal, Murphy and Himes.  

The awards were announced today at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s headquarters in Princeton, NJ.  Representatives from Bridgeport were on hand to accept the award from RWJF President and CEO Risa Lavizzo-Mourey.

The RWJF Culture of Health Prize winners excelled in six criteria:

  • Defining health in the broadest possible terms.
  • Committing to sustainable systems changes and policy-oriented, long-term solutions.
  • Cultivating a shared and deeply-held belief in the importance of equal opportunity for health.
  • Harnessing the collective power of leaders, partners, and community members.
  • Securing and making the most of available resources.
  • Measuring and sharing progress and results.