Creating Healthy Communities
Funded by CDC’s Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant (PHHSBG) since 2010, the Creating Healthy Communities (CHC) program currently funds 31 communities throughout Ohio. CHC funds local public health departments to implement sustainable policy, systems, and environmental changes through community engagement and community-led solutions to increase opportunities for physical activity and improved access to healthy foods.
Vision:
Vibrant Ohio communities where everyone has access to healthy food and opportunities for active living
Mission:
Activating community-led solutions to create sustainable change in policies, places, and population health.
Creating Healthy Communities Strategies
Strategies are projects that make either healthy eating or active living more accessible in the community
Strategies completed in Montgomery County
- Shaded seating
- School gardens
- Public Educational Health Talks*
- Park exercise equipment
- Benches in parks
- Improving playground safety
Other CHC projects completed in Ohio
- Bicycle Infrastructure
- Community gardens
- Produce Perks SNAP incentive program
- Bike share programs
- Food pantries
- Multi-use trails
- Safe routes to healthy foods
- Safe routes to school
- Food service guidelines
Why it’s important
- only Approximately half of Montgomery County residents are getting the recommended amount of physical activity
- 68% of Montgomery County residents are overweight or obese
- 14.3% of Montgomery County residents have been told they have diabetes and 10.2% have been told they have pre-diabetes
- in 2023, Approximately 25% of hospital visits in Montgomery County were related to high blood pressure
Tips to stay healthy
Try adding one or two of these tips to your routine to live a healthier lifestyle:
Healthy eating
- Add a fruit or vegetable to a meal
- Allow yourself only one sweet treat a day
- Choose water with your meals instead of soda or other sugary drinks
- Instead of frying your food, bake or air fry it
- Find one new healthy recipe a month to try
- Use apps like MenuFit or CalorieCap to find the healthier options on restaurant menus
- Try sugar free syrup in your coffee
- Try brown rice or whole wheat bread instead of white rice or bread
Active living
- Walk your dog around the block a couple evenings every week
- Stretch at your desk every hour
- March in place for 2 minutes every few hours
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator when you can
- Park in the spot further from the door
- Investigate your local park
- Grab some friends to play a game of soccer or another sport
- Play tag with your friends or kids
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