The Thurston County Courthouse
Thurston County has been designated to receive $25,000 as part of a nationwide Healthiest Cities and Counties challenge. That award and stipend was earned by the county for its ongoing “Active Design for a Healthier Community” project.
The award is a part of the Healthiest Cities and Counties Challenge, which was launched in 2016 by the Aetna Foundation in a partnership with the American Public Health Association and the National Association of Counties. All told there were 10 winners and five honorable mentions selected from counties around the country this year.
The award program seeks to reward communities for their work to make sure that all Americans have an active lifestyle, regardless of income, education or ethnic background. All applicants are competing for a piece of the $1.5 million pot of funds set aside to pay for more health-centric projects.
The “Thurston Thrives” Community Design Action Team project is intended to identify and support improvements to the county’s regional trails in order to make them more accessible. That effort is a part of an broader strategy intended to make daily physical activity easier for locals to get at least 30 minute of exercise a day for adults, and a full hour of exercise for children. Additional details are available online at http://bit.ly/2eZeQ7J
“This award recognizes the great partnerships at the heart of Thurston Thrives, and our continuing efforts to build a healthier community,” said Schelli Slaughter, Director of the County’s Public Health & Social Services Department. “The Community Design team and other local partners are working hard to make it easy, enjoyable, and safe to go for a walk or engage in active transportation, so residents can get more healthy activity every day.”
The Thurston County project is set to include improved signage and information in order to help residents and visitors figure out where their needs will be best served.
“At the Aetna Foundation, we know that a positive health impact can be made when communities work together to tackle social determinants of health,” said Dr. Garth Graham, president of the Aetna Foundation, in the release. “We are honored to showcase these innovative organizations as Spotlight Award winners for their commitment to improving local health conditions and creating healthier, safer places.”
Additional information on the the challenge is expected to be presented on Feb. 13 at the Board of Health meeting. Additional information can be found online at www.healthiestcities.org.
