Community
The community that surrounds a person greatly influences behavior choices. Research has shown that people’s health is related to both the physical and social environment in which they live. Environments, social norms, policies, regulations and laws impact behaviors of individuals. These social and physical environmental elements can promote, support and reinforce healthy behaviors and contribute to the reduction of obesity in the state of Minnesota.
Partnering with local SHIP grantees will allow communities to create policy, environmental and system change to facilitate increased physical activity and healthy eating and reduced tobacco use and exposure.1
Today's Challenges
Studies show that most Americans want to lead healthy lives and are eager to improve their lifestyles. At the same time, many communities inadvertently create barriers to better health. Walking and biking are not feasible transportation options in many neighborhoods because of safety concerns, poor lighting and unreasonable distances from residences to destinations. Local foods are not always readily available or may not be marketed to local consumers.
Benefits of Increased Healthy Foods Initiatives
- Increased awareness of local nutritious foods.
- Increased community connectedness.
- Increased level of health by community members consuming locally grown nutritious foods.
- Increased awareness of community programs and resources, including their focus, schedules, and target populations
What’s happening in Cass County?
- Increased awareness of existing high quality nutritious foods such as farmer’s markets and Community Supported Agriculture through local marketing campaigns.
- Increased healthy options at restaurants through menu labeling.
- MDH (2009). SHIP and Communities Working to reduce chronic disease in Minnesota. Retrieved from http://www.health.state.mn.us/healthreform/ship/about/SHIPCommunitiesFactSheet.pdf
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