LiveWell Colorado: Our Background and Future

www.livewellcolorado.org

Who We Are

The driving force behind statewide obesity prevention initiatives, LiveWell Colorado provides the community resources and support to give every Coloradoan the opportunities, tools and knowledge needed to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Through strategic alliances, LiveWell Colorado provides leadership and coordination for statewide programs, practices and policies that promote healthy eating and active living.

With the support of our partners in action, LiveWell Colorado engages the power of all of us to foster healthy people and places in Colorado.

Why We’re Here

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, obesity is the single greatest public health threat to the nation. In fact, poor nutrition and lack of physical activity are the second leading preventable causes of death in the United States and Colorado.

While Colorado is among the leanest states, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the state is rising in concert with national rates, putting a large portion of the population at risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension and asthma. Together with its partners, LiveWell Colorado seeks to reverse these trends.

Where We Came From

In the fall of 2006, leaders from Colorado’s public health, corporate and philanthropic communities came together to address the state’s rising obesity rates and related health impacts. While participants agreed that many promising obesity-prevention initiatives were “in progress” throughout the state, they also agreed that there was an increased need for coordination or linkage between programs and investment.

Key among the priorities that emerged is the opportunity to strengthen the public health impact of existing obesity prevention programs by coordinating efforts, reducing duplication, streamlining program funding mechanisms and promoting collaboration among stakeholders throughout the state. Working from this consensus, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, The Colorado Health Foundation and Kaiser Permanente launched LiveWell Colorado – a community grant collaborative aimed at reducing obesity in Colorado in January 2007.

In its first year of operation, LiveWell Colorado funded 11 community programs to promote healthy eating and active living through policies, programs and environmental changes. In just one year 87,000 Colorado residents were directly reached by community initiatives and 724 schools, community groups, healthcare organizations, senior service providers and local businesses adopted LiveWell Colorado strategies.

Due to initial successes, support and funding were expanded in early 2008. This commitment allowed LiveWell Colorado to establish itself as a unique non-profit entity charged with implementing an aggressive, coordinated statewide intervention to address the human and economic tolls of overweight and obesity, and improving the health and wellbeing of all Coloradoans.

Where We’re Headed

Today, LiveWell Colorado draws on the collective wisdom, resources and passion of its many stakeholders to take the initiative to a new level by providing:

• Strategic leadership and focus;

• Mechanisms for increased collaboration and alignment across sectors; and

• Resources for the advancement of policy and environmental changes.

By elevating health and wellness awareness, augmenting funding for the most promising obesity reduction strategies and leveraging investments and resources, LiveWell Colorado will strive to ensure that every Coloradoan has access to healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity in the places they live, work, learn and play.

How We’ll Get There

The vision, mission and strategic goals set forth in Colorado’s strategic plan, Fostering Healthy People and Places: The Power of All of Us, guide efforts for advancing policies, programs and environmental changes to encourage healthy eating and active living.

Vision

All Coloradoans enjoy a lifestyle that includes healthy eating and active living. The state’s tradition of health and wellness is fully embraced by its residents.

Mission

Inspire and advance policy, environmental and lifestyle changes that promote health through the prevention and reduction of obesity.

Strategic Goals

1. Advance a policy strategy with stakeholders.

2. Reduce health disparities related to nutrition, physical activity and obesity.

3. Build leadership, capacity and synergy among stakeholders.

4. Reach every Coloradoan through a media campaign that inspires wellness.

5. Maximize investments for Colorado communities.

6. Effect change by ensuring impact and accountability.

LiveWell Summit County: Community Profile and Initiatives

Who We Are

LiveWell Summit County’s coalition, Physical Activity & Nutrition Team of the Summit, is working to reduce the obesity rates in Colorado through the implementation of healthy eating and active living strategies in Summit County.  

What We Have Accomplished

• On June 23, 2009 Summit School District RE-1’s Board of Education formally adopted Policy EFEA: Nutritious Food Choices that states: “At every possible eating occasion, students will have opportunities to practice what they are taught in nutrition education and choose nutritious snacks that are low in fat, sodium and added sugars.”
• 14 local worksites have implemented or improved their employee wellness programs.
• LiveWell Summit County partnered with St. Anthony Summit Medical Center to support breastfeeding education and promotion for new mothers.  St. Anthony’s is a “formula-free” hospital, and each new mother receives a “breastfeeding bag” that includes helpful information about breastfeeding and local community programs and resources.
• In June 2009, week-long “walkability” workshops and walking audits were held in Summit County. The week was facilitated by Dan Burden who is an internationally recognized authority on bicycle and pedestrian facilities and programs, livability, sustainability and Smart Growth.  Walking audit recommendations are being implemented in the community. For example, bike racks were installed at nine Summit Stage bus stops and a needed bike lane was striped in the town of Breckenridge.
• Silvana’s Community Garden, Summit County’s first 30-bed community garden, was built in the spring of 2009 in the town of Silverthorne.  Community members and groups such as 4-H and Girl Scouts grew a variety of vegetables and herbs.  The end-of-season survey indicated that the majority of gardeners and their families increased their vegetable intake, enjoyed the community bonding and found this to be an educational and fun experience.
• Initial plans were created for the Summit County greenhouse project.  The Summit County Board of County Commissioners approved community greenhouse plans and gave permission to use the land next to the Community & Senior Center.

Plans for 2010

• LWSC will continue implementing the coordinated school health program and school wellness policy at Summit County School District RE-1.
• The Safe Routes to School program at Summit School District RE-1 will be expanded.
• Breastfeeding promotion and support will continue through partnerships with St. Anthony Summit Medical Center and Women, Infants, and Children.
• At least two local worksites in Summit County will develop worksite wellness programs and policies, and at least six local worksites will strengthen and enhance programs and policies.
• 5 mini-grants were awarded to improve and enhance Summit County’s infrastructure to increase physical activity.
• The Town of Silverthorne will continue to develop and implement a community garden plan.
• Dillon Valley Elementary and the Dillon Valley community will develop and implement a community and school greenhouse plan.
• Community greenhouse plans will be developed and implemented in partnerships with other organizations.
• LW Summit County in partnership with Summit County’s food banks will develop and implement greenhouse plans to distribute produce to food bank recipients and low-income residents in Summit County.

To contact LiveWell Summit County, please contact Joanna Rybak at 970-453-9333 or e-mail Joanna@SummitPreventionAlliance.org.