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Steps Towards GreaHealth and Wea
Io
Whats Good for He
is Good for Busines
More walkable neighborhand fewer miles traveled bsounds like a
modern twithe American Dream. And itthat many states are embrin
response to their mouneeds to move people, imhealth and build their
econo
More active transportatiwalking and biking - has shown to
increase phactivity, improve health and health care costs.
People who drive less andmore also save money ontransportation
costs and more disposable income -theyre more likely to sit at
businesses in waneighborhoods.
Additionally, many peopespecially young professifamilies and
older adults whoto age in place - are opting tin areas with lower
speed so they can walk safely athe neighborhood. Wa
shopping districts with streets allow people to stoshop (and get
some exercis
This case study provides of the most inventive mand solutions
that help transportation, health commercial needs in Iowa, few tips
on how to bring theyour community.PO Box 10581
Portland, OR(503) 757-8342 americawalks.org
Centered in the American Heartland, Iowa gains appreciation from
itsresidents due to its diversied economy, good quality of life and
tranquilnatural beauty. Iowa's state population of more than three
million isslightly more urban than rural, surprisingly, with 61
percent living inurban areas. The Hawkeye States interstates, urban
roads and smalltown streets make up more than 114,000 road miles to
maintain. Withthis vast transportation system serving users of all
ages and abilities,Iowa has leveraged an innovative and
decentralized approach to prioritizehealth for its traveling
public.
Transportation decisions in Iowa and beyond are tied to
acommunitys health and wealth. Every day, people use various modes
oftransportation to get to work or school, to access markets and
shoppingdestinations and to connect with friends and families.
Like so many other states, some of Iowas public health metrics
arein need of serious improvement. There are more than 700,000
obeseadults in Iowa, and more than 530,000 adults are physically
inactive inthe state; also, the prevalence of diabetes jumped from
8.2 percent to9.7 percent of adults just in the last year.
Something must change for
the long-term health of Iowans.
In response, Iowa has been proactive in improving its health
rankingsand increasing active transportation activities across the
state. Iowahas created several programs that promote walking as a
basic, easyand accessible form of travel and physical activity one
that can easecongestion and bolster commerce. Things are already
shifting: accordingto the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), Iowa saw adecline in obesity rates among 2- to
4-year-olds from low-income familiesbetween 2008 and 2011.
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Through a variety of approaches, such as public-private
initiatives, partnerships with assorted agenciesand solutions that
meet urban, suburban and rural needs, Iowa has become a national
leader indevising successful programs that support transportation,
health and economic efforts.
Iowas approach was born from the desire to respond to its
growing health crisis, and has progressedin a way that focuses on
tting the right solution to the right place.
In 2011, Governor Terry Branstad launched the Healthiest State
Initiative, which is a privately-led,public initiative at the
community-level that has multiple stakeholders. The aim of this
bold initiative isto make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation
by 2016.
The Healthiest State Initiative supports healthy eating and
active living for Iowans through a urry ofopportunities like
walking and biking for all ages and abilities with the Iowa Trails
Council and the IowaBicycle Coalition, joining an annual Talk the
Walk contest, starting a walking program by employers withguidance
from the American Heart Association and conducting walkability
assessments developed bythe Iowa Department of Public Health
(IDPH).
Public health also is considered a key part of the coordination
and programmatic efforts for the statesstatewide multimodal system.
Program managers use a more exible and decentralized
approach,particularly via the Northeast Iowa Safe Routes to School
(SRTS) program, so that strategies are scaledappropriately to the
community.
In a related effort to further improve the states access to
goods and services and physical activityopportunities, the Iowa
Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) and several other agencies
areinvolved in the expanding complete streets movement, as well as
the Blue Zones effort, which is apublic-private, community-based
health initiative. In using evidence-based strategies across
disciplinesto help people live healthier lives, the Blue Zones
initiative entails a range of partners, including WellmarkBlue
Cross and Blue Shield, AARP and several chambers of commerce.
Corporate and commerciainvolvement in the program lends a hand in
lowering health care costs, supporting local businesses
andimproving wellness in towns and cities across Iowa.
The governors Healthiest State Initiative from 2011 set the
stage for many present efforts that supporttransportation, health
and commerce in Iowa. The worldwide Blue Zones campaign, which
strives tomake healthy choices easier through permanent changes to
environment, policy, and social networks,inspired some of the
thinking behind the governors initiative.
To date, fteen Iowa communities have been designated as Blue
Zone project demonstrationcommunities, whereby they receive broad
and deep support for improving public health locally. Anycommunity
can use Blue Zones guiding principles; the healthy living program
offers resources wherecommunities pledge to complete specic
responsibilities, which vary across responsible parties
(e.g.,schools, employers, elected ofcials).
Getting Started
Building Programs and Partnerships that Work
Steps Towards GreaterHealth and Wealth
Iowa
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Steps Towards GreaterHealth and Wealth
Iowa
Actions may include:
Passing a city resolution or ordinance to adopt complete streets
principles Adopting policies to promote outdoor dining Implementing
permanent strategies to enhance personal safety in public spaces
Completing at least one project from a pedestrian master plan
Establishing new community gardens
In particular, complete streets policies are multiplying in
Iowa; they are designed and operated toenable safe transportation
for all users. The IDPH generated a resource on complete streets,
showinghow a growing body of research connects not only street
design to safety and public health, but alsostreet design to
economic growth. Complete streets solutions are exible, and may
employ many
different layouts, features and designs to t the setting. The
Iowa DOT has worked with in-state smallocal governments to
implement or improve safe and attractive multi-use roads that can
support bothwalkability and commercial interests.
Incorporating physical activity into rural transportation
planning is another successful program in Iowathat offers notable
solutions. An Iowa DOT grant funded and helps to coordinate a SRTS
liaison to workacross the states rural planning organizations,
local health partners and local governments to promoteyouth health
through physical activity. The emphasis is on physical activity
that can be done by childrenliving specically in rural
environments. For example, with more remotely located schools, the
programsuggests mileage clubs where students win prizes for high
daily step counts.
Iowa has shown exemplary work across disciplines. The IDPH
promoted complete streets, while theIowa DOT is informing part of
the state health plan. Also, SRTS efforts now include coordination
withthe Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative, funded by the
W. K. Kellogg Foundation.
Applying Recommendations
Build Leadership From the Top: Having a governor, mayor or local
decision-maker publicly declare the value in nurturhealthy
communities and in developing walkable, commercially-vibrant areas
can lead to greater collaboration across agenci
Start with the Big Picture, then Customize: The Blue Zones
program is structured such that any community can undertaa huge
assortment of activities that support walking and physical
activity. Programs like this are comprehensive- yet allow
sotailoring and exibility- and allow stakeholders the opportunity
to customize solutions to their environments.
Recognize Different Local Needs:The Iowa SRTS program shows the
need to recognize, understand and accommodany regional and local
differences in geography, density and other features in towns and
cities. By not employing a one size all approach, the SRTS program
in Iowa serves as a national model of effective practices that help
children meet their physiactivity goals.
Support Across Disciplines: Planning for healthy and
economically sustainable communities in rural, suburband urban
places involves participation from various stakeholders. In Iowa,
numerous opportunities were leveragto invite peers from other
agencies to inform ongoing or new projects and programs from their
distinct point of vie
Encourage Partnerships: Complete streets, Blue Zones, SRTS: they
all share the common thread of emphasizing threlationships with
other partners, such as regional planning organizations, advocates,
health insurers and foundations. T
underscores the value of understanding each partners language,
objectives and concerns, and then delegating roles appropriatand
strategically.
