Gov. Reynolds Proclaims October as Healthiest State Month
Celebrate 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! where Iowans live, learn, work and play
Gov. Kim Reynolds has declared October as Healthiest State Month in a proclamation signing. Iowans from all sectors are invited to celebrate Healthiest State Month and 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! – a nationally recognized and evidence-based prevention framework to promote healthy habits.
The declaration was announced by Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg as part of a celebration of the Healthiest State 13th Annual Walk presented by Delta Dental of Iowa, a state-wide event that invites Iowans across the state to walk for 30 minutes on the first Wednesday of October with friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and classmates.
Iowa Cities Walking Challenge Winner Announced
In 2023, the Healthiest State Initiative partnered with the Iowa League of Cities to create the Iowa Cities Walking Challenge as part of the Healthiest State Annual Walk. Participating cities were invited to register a walk and see who could register the highest percentage of their population for the walk. With 48% of their population registered, this year’s winner is Breda! The city of Breda will receive $1,000 towards continued health and wellness initiatives in their community. The Healthiest State team, Board Member April Schmaltz and Lt. Governor Gregg attended the Breda walk to celebrate their win. Congrats Breda!
School Mascot Challenge Winner Announced
In the weeks leading up to the Healthiest State Annual Walk, the Healthiest State Initiative hosted the School Mascot Challenge on social media. We are excited to announce that our 2023 Mascot Challenge winner is Winfield-Mt. Union School District! Winfield-Mt. Union will receive $1,000 towards a health and wellness project at their school.
To celebrate Healthiest State Month, each week in October will focus on healthy habits promoted by 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! The month will be capped off by the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Summit on October 25th with experts from across the state gathering in Ankeny to discuss best practices for implementing strategies that support the healthy choice as the easy choice in the places where we live, learn, work and play.
“Establishing healthy habits is key to living our healthiest and happiest lives,” said Jami Haberl, Executive Director of the Healthiest State Initiative. “Healthiest State Month celebrates the importance of building habits that supports 5 or more fruits and vegetables, 2 hours or less of recreational screen time, 1 hour or more of physical activity and 0 sugary drinks – more water.
The Healthiest State Month weekly schedule is as follows:
October 1-7: 1 or more hour of physical activity
October 4th: Healthiest State Annual Walk
October 8-14: 5 or more fruits or vegetables
October 15-21: 2 hours or less of recreational screen time
October 22-28: 0 sugary drinks – drink more water!
October 25: 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Summit
Celebrating Healthiest State Month is easy and fun! Free celebration toolkits and resources are available for education sites, communities, workplaces, health care clinics and households. To learn more about how you can participate, download free resources, or register for the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Summit, visit www.iowahealthieststate.com/events/healthiest-state-month.