Colorado is One of 13 States to Receive National
Governors Association Grant for Healthy States
July 28, 2006, DENVER — Colorado is one of 13 states that received a
Healthy States
grant from the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices
(NGA Center). Colorado was awarded $99,834, which will be used to
establish worksite wellness activities in the state.
Other grant recipients announced this month included Connecticut,
Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
Dr. Ned Calonge, the state's chief medical officer based at the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said, "The funding
comes at a pivotal time for the state. Colorado continues to be the
least obese state in the nation. However, mirroring the national trend,
the rate of overweight and obesity is steadily increasing among
Colorado's citizens. We are excited for the opportunity the funding
provides to further worksite wellness activities within the state."
The NGA Center Healthy States Grant Program is an outgrowth of NGA
Chair Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's Healthy America initiative, which
focuses on achieving wellness where one lives, works and learns.
Huckabee said that states receiving grants have developed realistic,
achievable and sensible plans to encourage healthy, active lifestyles in
their states, such as those outlined in
Creating Healthy States: Actions
for Governors.
Grantees may use the funds to support community- and worksite-based
wellness efforts. To help states achieve their goals, the NGA Center
will provide customized technical assistance and strategic guidance. In
addition, next month's NGA Annual Meeting will include opportunities for
governors to discuss the Healthy America initiative and potential
partnerships with the private sector in promoting wellness, Huckabee
said.
"Governors are in a unique position to promote partnerships that
educate people about the need to make lifestyle changes; lead and
inspire them to change; and offer incentives for improving their health.
The Healthy States Grant Program is a valuable resource that will
provide governors the tools and support they need to improve the health
of the residents of their states," he said.
Rachel Oys, Colorado Physical Activity and Nutrition Program director
at the Department of Public Health and Environment and overseer of the
grant program, said that grant work in Colorado will begin in September.
She explained that the Department of Public Health and Environment will
partner with the State Employee Wellness Committee and Metro Denver
Health and Wellness Commission to implement innovative worksite wellness
projects for local and state employees.
"Colorado will build on existing efforts within the State Employee
Wellness Committee and the Metro Denver Health and Wellness Commission
to create action plans and implement policies and programs to
demonstrate that good health is good business," she said.
The Healthy States grant recipients were selected by a committee
independent of NGA from innovative proposals submitted by 34 states.
Chaired by Harvey Fineberg, president, Institute of Medicine, the
selection committee included leading national experts on worksite and
community wellness programs and initiatives.
For more information, the public may call Oys at (303)
692-2606.
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