Michigan Public Health Professionals Select Loretta Bush as ‘2026 Hometown Health Hero’

Loretta Bush has been named one of the 2026 Hometown Health Heroes by the Michigan Public Health Week Partnership, announced James F. Koval, MDiv., MPA, coordinator of the event. The Hometown Health Hero Award is presented to individuals who have made significant and measurable contributions to preserving and improving the health of their communities. She will be honored at an award ceremony on March 18 in Lansing. 

Mrs. Bush is being recognized for her leadership in developing and overseeing the implementation of the Healthy and Resilient Communities (HaRC) initiative. Now in its third year, the initiative has been funded through a $5 million state appropriation. 

“I am honored to receive this award from leaders of the public health profession,” Mrs. Bush said. “Detroit is my hometown, and I am privileged to be able to help create a healthier and more resilient city.” 

The concept for HaRC originated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it became apparent that people in minority communities were dying from the disease at disproportionately higher rates than the population at large. The initiative addresses the strong link between poor nutrition and higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and vulnerability to infectious illnesses—conditions that continue to affect communities of color at alarming rates. 

HaRC increases access to healthy, affordable meals in locations often referred to as “food swamps,” including liquor stores, convenience stores, and gas stations, as well as community gathering places such as hair salons. Meals are sold through “smart” refrigerators and promoted by community health workers embedded in neighborhoods. More recently, the initiative has expanded to include a healthy food truck for community events. 

The initiative has produced measurable improvements in community health by increasing access to nutritious food and shifting purchasing behaviors toward healthier choices. In its first year alone, more than 8,000 healthy grab-and-go meals were distributed, generating more than $14,000 in revenue while expanding consistent access to balanced meals. Program refinements—including extended shelf life, targeted promotion, affordable pricing, and the involvement of professional chefs from the community—resulted in a more than 65 percent increase in profitability. 

Community engagement through community health workers further amplified health outcomes. Between October 2024 and June 2025, HaRC participated in 56 community events, engaging more than 2,000 individuals through nutrition education, health screenings, and primary care appointment scheduling. The program also received recognition from local broadcast outlets and conducted advertising campaigns to increase consumer awareness and sales. 

Consumer survey data from seven participating ZIP code areas showed that 77 percent of respondents reported being somewhat – to – fully knowledgeable about the connection between healthy eating and disease prevention. Participants also reported increased overall health literacy. 

“I want to thank the State of Michigan for having the confidence to fund this initiative,” Mrs. Bush added. “As we have said all along, this program is portable. We believe every community in the state could benefit, and we are willing to share our experience with anyone interested in pursuing it.”