Iowa Healthiest State Initiative Monthly Momentum - June
The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative’s programs and events strive to create awareness and provide solutions to improve the physical, social and mental well-being of Iowans. Every month through Monthly Momentum, we’ll share what our team did through our four main programs Make It OK, Double Up Food Bucks, Produce Rx, and 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! the month prior to realize that mission! There are tons of ways to get involved whether your passion is mental, social, or physical health, so join us in ensuring every Iowan can live their healthiest life, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media so you never miss a thing!
Make It OK
In June, were excited to receive our 2024 Adsposure Award for our Back the Black campaign’s DART bus advertising. We accepted the award alongside some of our Back the Black committee members and are excited to continue to make a difference through the Make It OK Back the Black campaign.
Throughout the month, our team hosted 1 Make It OK presentation, 1 Back the Black presentation and trained 3 new Make It OK Ambassadors across the state. We continue to work on our summer projects to revise our Make It OK Registered Workplace portion of the campaign as well as making updates to our website.
Finally, we released our Mental Health Awareness Month 2025 Sponsor Impact Report! The report offers a birds eye view of some of the numbers behind our efforts and the awesome events that happened during Mental Health Awareness Month from us and Iowans around the state! Want a deeper dive? We chatted with the Iowans behind the Make It OK Muscatine Movement to hear about the amazing response and reaction from their community in May! Check out the blog here.
15th Annual Healthiest State Walk presented by Delta Dental of Iowa
We have announced two new incredible partnerships coming this fall as part of our 15th Annual Healthiest State Walk presented by Delta Dental of Iowa!
On October 1st from 5 - 7pm, join us at Water Works Park in Des Moines for our 15th Annual Walk Celebration in partnership with the Water Works Park Foundation! The family-friendly event will include a ceremonial walk, live music, yard games and free food (while supplies last). So bring your family, celebrate the walk, and enjoy games and food with us this fall!
Then on October 19th, The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative and the Des Moines Marathon are excited to partner for the Healthiest State Initiative 1 Mile Walk Presented by HealthPartners
The brand-new family-friendly 1 mile walk is designed for all ages and abilities and allows all Iowans to get in on the race day fun and activities in person or virtually. Support our organization and register today!
Double Up Food Bucks
This month Double Up Food Bucks Iowa sat with the National Grocers Association Foundation, nationwide health incentive programs and grocers to discuss Brick & Mortar and Corner Store health incentive strategies to recruiting, onboarding and support our programs.