The city of Cumberland in Barron County is a rural community in northwestern Wisconsin. In 2004, community partners organized the Healthier Cumberland Coalition with the intent to lead programs that promote healthy lifestyles among Cumberland area residents. Partners from the Cumberland Memorial Hospital and Extended Care Unit and the Cumberland School District provided leadership that facilitated the Coalition. The Coalition includes partners from private businesses, community organizations, members of the clergy, interested and energized citizens, and an academic partner from the Medical College of Wisconsin.

As a result of these efforts, the Healthier Cumberland Coalition unanimously and enthusiastically came to support the development and implementation of a more comprehensive community intervention program. This program utilizes both our academic and our broad based intra-community collaborations to help individuals improve their health by making informed choices that lead to sustained, healthier lifestyle behaviors.