The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative has announced leadership changes among its Board of Directors.

April Schmaltz, President and CEO of Delta Dental of Iowa, has been elected Board President. She will succeed Jeff Pomeranz, who has served as President since 2022. In addition, President of Hy-Vee Inc., Aaron Wiese, will remain in his role as Board Vice President. Becky Woody, President, HealthPartners UnityPoint Health, will serve as Board Treasurer.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has declared October as Healthiest State Month in Iowa in a proclamation signing. Iowans from all sectors are invited to celebrate with resources, fun activities, and giveaways from the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative and 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! – a nationally recognized and evidence-based prevention framework to promote healthy habits.

See how 2024 Healthiest State Award Winners spent their prize money to continue their work.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects 1 in 10 women and is the leading cause of female infertility. In honor of September being PCOS Awareness Month, our Hy-Vee dietitians wanted to share our top tips as registered dietitians on how to balance hormones and manage PCOS naturally.

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!

As summer ends, it’s time to start planning for going back to school. This can bring a long list of to-dos as you try to set your kids up for a successful school year. It’s also the perfect time to start implementing new healthy habits!

Registration for the Healthiest State 14th Annual Walk, presented by Delta Dental of Iowa, is now open. On Wednesday, October 2nd, thousands of Iowans across the state will participate in organized walks at schools, workplaces, and within their communities. 

Win $1,000 for your K-12 school with the School Mascot Challenge as part of the Healthiest State 14th Annual Walk!

This year, Healthiest State Initiative is introducing a new social media challenge—the Active Early Care Challenge! Early care centers who complete the challenge will have the chance to win money, gain accesses to additional free resources, and free 5-2-1-0 swag!

August means a lot of things: back-to-school, savoring what’s left of farmers market season, and enduring the end-of-summer heat—but nothing compares to the Iowa State Fair. This year, let's make our fair adventures as healthy as they are fun!

Fayette County Public Health and the Healthy Fayette County Coalition partners went above and beyond to spread the word about reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness with the Make It OK campaign in May. By bringing the Make It OK message to local businesses and schools, the Fayette County Public Health team started important discussions on mental health that will leave an impact on community members lives beyond May.

Intermittent fasting, a dietary approach that has gained popularity, is being hailed for its potential health and weight loss benefits. As Hy-Vee dietitians, we know eating isn’t one-size-fits-all. Let’s explore what intermittent fasting involves, its underlying mechanisms, potential health benefits, who should abstain from it and practical advice for those contemplating this dietary approach.

The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative’s Double Up Food Bucks program has expanded its partnership with Fareway by adding eleven stores in communities across Iowa as participating locations.

The eleven new sites include two locations in Cedar Rapids, as well as Clinton, Council Bluffs, Fort Madison, Hampton, Muscatine, Newton, Red Oak, Toledo, and Vinton. Across these locations, approximately 18,628 Iowans will now have increased access to fresh produce in their community through Double Up Food Bucks.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. This is a time to take action, both individually and within your community, to promote brain health and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, including its prevention and treatment. Your Hy-Vee registered dietitian, in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association, is here to provide essential information on nutritional strategies for brain health. Learn what you can do to support cognitive function and contribute to ongoing research efforts.

At the 2024 Workplace Wellbeing Conference the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative hosted a roundtable exploration of well-being culture led by Jessica Sheets, Senior Strategist – Employee Experience Solutions with ITA Group, Inc. and Megan Hammes Owner/Founder of Hammes Homestead and Consulting. Read the insight from the group discussion here!

During each week of Mental Health Awareness Month in May we want to give Iowans ways to celebrate and start conversations around mental health! Week five’s theme is Keep the Conversation Going Week. Checkout the blog for more information and resources!

During each week of Mental Health Awareness Month in May we want to give Iowans ways to celebrate and start conversations around mental health! Week five’s theme is Mural and Art Engagement Week. Checkout the blog for more information and resources!

During each week of Mental Health Awareness Month in May we want to give Iowans ways to celebrate and start conversations around mental health! Week three’s theme is Wear Green week. Checkout the blog for more information and resources!

Have you ever wondered if you’re getting the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy? With so many nutrients, knowing if you are missing the mark or balancing essential nutrients can be challenging. Your Hy-Vee registered dietitian is here to help with simple tips and read on to learn how you can determine your risk for anemia.

The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative has announced the winners of the 2024 Healthiest State Workplace, Individual, and Youth Power Awards. The winners were recognized for their efforts to improve the physical, social, and mental well-being of their employees and community during an in-person award ceremony on Wednesday, April 17th during the Workplace Wellbeing Conference. Lt. Governor Adam Gregg was in attendance to honor the winners and finalists’ work in their communities.