Growing Healthy Communities

Low and behold, Arkansans are beginning to reflect on the bulging stature of their communities and are seeking paths of immersion into solutions. Gloria in Excelsis!

To combat Arkansas' rising obesity trend, Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention, Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Department of Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Public Health, and Winthrop Rockefeller Institute have collaborated to form the “Growing Healthy Communities Project."
Atop Petit Jean Mountain, 7 communities representing Harrison, Helena/W. Helena, Batesville, Faulkner County, Mississippi County, Magnolia, and Little Rock came together March 2nd through March 5th . The mission of the training seminars was two-fold, it provided concerned health educators, mayors, teachers, and community planners the opportunity to discuss issues surrounding built environment s, access to real food and exercise (walking and biking, trails) communicating messages/missions effectively, Arkansas policies and resources that where then incorporated into a broader action plan of developing their healthier community.

5 Communities were awarded $10,000 to implement projects and programs that will influence physical activity and access to healthy foods. An additional award up to $6,000 was made available for each area to conduct a regional summit to increase awareness on healthy, active living within their communities. With input from their community partners, each site receiving these awards will apply policy and environmental changes to increase physical activity and nutritional options that will lead to healthier lifestyles. This incentive was to make sure key players within these communities (ie. mayors, city planners) were aware and invested into the programs potential and follow through as a fulfillment of the purpose behind the "place-based" immersion training.
For more information about Growing Healthy Communities and to hear about the successes and challenges these committees face, contact Joy Rockenbach with the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention at (501) 683-3600 or Joy.Rockenbach@arkansas.gov.