HealthEducation, income and health are the building blocks for a good life. Access to quality health care keeps children on rack in school and adults productive at work. United Way’s 10-year goal, established in 2008, is to increase by one-third the percentage of healthy youth and adults. This requires that more Americans have access to health coverage and to good primary care from (and even before) birth, as well as the resources to avoid or stop substance abuse and other risky behaviors.
Raising healthy kids is a key step to building healthy communities. To learn more, visit Kids Get Fit, here.
1 in 21 Healthy Muskegon County http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo&sns=em
The launch of 1 in 21 Healthy Muskegon County was prompted by the low results Muskegon County received in the County Health Rankings. The County Health Rankings, produced by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, are based on a model of population health that emphasizes the many factors that, if improved, can help make communities healthier places to live, learn, work and play.
Muskegon currently ranks 64 out of 82 Michigan counties. The vision of 1 in 21 is that Muskegon will be the Healthiest County in Michigan by 2021. It is an ambitious goal, but one that can be achieved if we all work together!
The founding partners of 1 in 21, brought together by the Muskegon Rotary Club's Health and Wellness Committee, convened a summit in March 2011 to discuss these findings. After the summit, core values were established to support the common vision of a healthier community:
· Inclusive participation and ownership, from all levels of the community
· Collaborative, cross-sector leadership and action
· Reduction of health disparities
· Emphasis on evidence-based, best practice strategies
· Efficient stewardship of community resources
· Sustainable initiatives and activities
Five sub-committees were established to work on the strategic goals developed to make the vision a reality:
· Support policy and environmental changes that increase the capacity of neighborhood environments in Muskegon County to support healthy eating and active lifestyle of residents.
· Support policy and environmental changes that increase the capacity of schools (including higher education institutions), afterschool programs, and child care providers in Muskegon County to promote healthy behaviors at all grade levels.
· Collaborate with medical, public health and health and fitness professionals to increase promotion of healthy behaviors in professional settings and healthier community environments.
· Build on local collaboration to develop a community-wide approach, including a Community Ambassador Program, as well as faith-based, human services and business sectors, which will promote and sustain the Healthy Muskegon County Initiative.
· Employ initiative-level strategies that maximize the efficiencies of current community resources for Healthy Muskegon County, while minimizing the impact on local resources.
Nine behaviors common to people around the world who live the longest
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United Way partnered with the Muskegon Community Health Project, Mercy Health Partners, Public Health-Muskegon County, Lakeshore Health Network and Community Mental Health on a 2009 Community Health Needs Assessment for Muskegon, Oceana and Newaygo counties. To read the report, click 
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