The Metropolis of Helena just lately obtained Alabama's first Wholesome Neighborhood designation on the 2024 Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) Commencement and Awards Ceremonies at Perdido Seashore Resort.
The Alabama Wholesome Communities program was developed in 2022 in partnership with Alabama Communities of Excellence, the Alabama Division of Public Well being, the Alabama Hospital Affiliation, and Blue Cross and Blue Protect of Alabama to help communities and neighborhood leaders. in figuring out and implementing insurance policies, methods and environmental modifications to enhance the well being of all neighborhood members.
Helena Mayor Brian Puckett volunteered Helena to take part as a pilot neighborhood. Beneath her management and with the help of her workers, Helena has managed to enhance entry to bodily exercise by connecting trails and sidewalks all through her municipality. One instance is the plan to construct extra paved trails inside the path system that can permit individuals to view the Cahaba lilies; head to Amphitheater Park, the place Buck Creek has a kayak launch to the Cahaba River; or head to the brand new 104-acre sports activities and leisure complicated.
“We’re proud to award Mayor Puckett and town of Helena with the primary Alabama Wholesome Neighborhood designation in Alabama,” stated ALM Govt Director Greg Cochran. “ALM is happy to associate with such nice companies to assist enhance the well being of Alabamians by offering entry to vitamin and bodily exercise all through our communities. “If you prioritize well being in your neighborhood, you create different alternatives for financial progress and, in flip, assist strengthen Alabama's economic system.”
Helena Mayor Brian Puckett, second from left, holds a plaque figuring out town as a chosen Alabama Wholesome Neighborhood. (Alabama League of Municipalities)
To permit Helena residents a extra sustainable technique to transport and entry water, town plans to put in water bottle filling stations on the new sports activities complicated, Metropolis Corridor and current services. Moreover, Helena plans to offer an area for her seniors to assemble and obtain meals at her new Metropolis Corridor. The town can also be partnering with an area church to help a meals pantry accessible to all residents.
Wholesome Alabama Communities, a spin-off of the Scale Again Alabama program, affords a extra holistic view of well being in all aspects: entry to vitamin, bodily actions and help for breastfeeding moms. Communities will help their members obtain wholesome behaviors by offering alternatives for protected bodily exercise and handy entry to nutritious meals.
“Alabama's Wholesome Communities program is a superb instrument to place its residents first. The coaching offered by this system was informative and simple to current so that each one our key stakeholders got here collectively from completely different areas of town to work in the direction of the widespread objective of offering new and progressive methods to offer our residents with quick access to areas key well being. ”Puckett stated. “I encourage each metropolis within the state to make the most of this new program to assist their residents proceed to construct a wholesome, vibrant neighborhood.”
Communities can use the Alabama Bodily Exercise and Vitamin Plan (ALPAN) to information choices that assist create wholesome alternatives and environments. The plan can also be used as a information to assist communities qualify for the Alabama Wholesome Communities designation. Developed by the Alabama Wellness Alliance, ALPAN incorporates evidence-based vitamin and bodily exercise methods to enhance well being by collaborative and constant approaches.
“Neighborhood leaders and stakeholders play a important function in making certain there are assets and alternatives for lively, wholesome life,” stated Molly Killman, director of ADPH's Division of Bodily Exercise and Vitamin. “When native governments create lively environments to help wholesome selections, neighborhood members will undertake wholesome behaviors and stay longer, happier lives.”
For extra details about the Alabama Wholesome Communities program, go to healthyalcommunities.org.