posted on Monday, September 20, 2021
5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count!
Five additional towns in Iowa have been selected to receive grant funding to support the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! campaign this fiscal year (FY22), joining a network of other communities across the state working to create environments that support healthy choices.
RELATED: New towns selected for 5-2-1-0 grant funding
5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! is a nationally recognized and evidence-based prevention framework to promote healthy habits. The goal is to increase physical activity and healthy eating through policy and environmental change. 5-2-1-0 focuses on the importance of four simple daily health habits:
- 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables
- 2 hours or less of screen time (television, computer, video games, phones, etc.)
- 1 hour or more of physical activity
- 0 (or reduce) sugar-sweetened beverages - drink more water!
Let's meet the communities!
Centerville
Location: Appanoose County
Population: 5,458
Champion: Chariton Valley Planning & Development, Centerville Community Schools – Lakeview Elementary
We are excited to bring more education and resources to our community and families on how to become healthier and stay active.
Keokuk
Location: Lee County
Population: 9,900
Champion: Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce, Live Healthy Lee County, Keokuk Community School District
The City of Keokuk is excited to be a part of the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! initiative. It aligns and supports other similar programs that reinforce healthy habits, such as the SNAP-ed program and IDPH’s Physical Activity Access grant. The city of Keokuk hopes to increase access and use of the cities trail system for healthier living. The community will use the 5-2-1-0 funding wisely by not replacing the existing functioning infrastructure but promoting what the city already has for residents to enjoy.

Leon
Location: Decatur County
Population:
Champion: Decatur County Public Health, Southern Iowa Council of Government
We have a committed group of community leaders and a range of great projects to work on. We are excited to see the process we can make for our community.

Oskaloosa
Location: Mahaska County
Population: 11,511
Champion: Mahaska Health, United Way of Mahaska County, Oskaloosa Public Schools, ISU Extension
Oskaloosa is thrilled to enhance our citizens’ health and over all well-being through the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! grant. The organizations in our community are excited to work together to make life happier and healthier. We are ready to promote personal and community health through service to the community, educational programming, and health promotion. We are looking forward to positively impacting and engaging our families and community to live a healthier life.

Postville
Location: Allamakee County
Population: 2,503
Champion: Northeast Iowa Wellness and Recreation Center and Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission
The City of Postville is a diverse community rich in industry and culture. We strive to make Postville a "Hometown to the World" where people of all walks of life can call Postville home. We have many industries, great schools and attractions that make our community a great place to raise a family. And 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! couldn’t have come at a better time for Postville! For the past few years, Postville has been focusing on community building efforts to strengthen connections among residents and leaders for widespread community betterment, and we are thrilled that 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! is here to help us continue to move these efforts forward!

There are eleven other communities that are currently funded for the initiative and will receive additional grants this fiscal year. Communities receiving a second year of funding at $15,000 include:
Communities receiving a final year of funding at $8,000 include: