Propenents of outdoor activity from all over O’Brien County came together at the Courthouse in Primghar on Tuesday May 24. A common interest that drew each invitee to the “Healthy Hometown” inaugural informational meeting is trails. Every community in O’Brien County either has or has attempted recreational trail development. “Health Hometown” is a program offered by Wellmark of Iowa and South Dakota.
“Healthy Hometown” embraces three key strategies for healthier living: 1) eat well, 2) move more and 3) feel better. Because “Healthy Hometown” is an initiative of a health insurance company its focus is on preventive strategies.
Wellmark predicts that by 2029 median income households will use 58% of family income of a family of 4 will go to healthcare costs. A number of other statistics about the health of Iowans were shared including Iowa’s national ranking as 7th most obese state with 35% of Iowas being obese. These statistics are further broken out into identifying 30 chronic conditions known to be linked to obesity and that 75% of healthcare dollars are spent treating such chronic diseases. More than 70 communities since 2017 have engaged in the program.
“Healthy Hometown” provides a variety of support mechanisms for “making the healthy choice the easy choice.” The 5-year initiative includes guidance and follow-up t measure progress and impact.
Initiatives and resources to provide easy ways to eat healthy with easy access are offered in step by step guides for use at the local level. Long term efforts starting with planning for transportation systems that improve movement are also part of “Healthy Hometown.” The underlying philosophy is that tactics 1 and 2, eat well and move more, cause people to reach 3, feel better.
Attendees make up the starting steering committee for O’Brien County. Development of a master plan has been set for June 23 to begin work on O’Brien County’s Master Plan for to encourage a healthier population and a more attractive place to live, work and grow.