Active and Healthy Communities | Vermont Department of Health CLOSE Translations for you Active and Healthy Communities Morrisville WIC (Morrisville) Family and Child Health Active and Healthy Communities Worksite Wellness School Health Immunizations Infectious Disease Community Prevention Programs Tobacco Prevention Emergency Preparedness Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention When the place where we live makes it easy for everyone to exercise and eat well, fewer people will suffer from injury, cancer, diabetes, stroke, heart and lung disease. Our goal is to help shape our communities to support health and well-being. To do this we: promote safe, pleasant and accessible places for all people to walk, roll or bicycle promote use of public transit ensure access to healthy and affordable food ensure safe, quality housing We work with community organizations, municipal and regional planners, schools and health care providers. We begin with conversations to learn what is important to our community. From there, we find ways to weave in health and wellness improvements that fit the priorities of our towns, such as economic development. All Vermonters will thrive when our living conditions help to eliminate differences in health for different groups of people. Use the Public Health Data Explorer to learn about health and wellness where you live. How We Can Help There are many ways that the Morrisville office can help shape a healthier community. We can: share examples of language that promotes health with cities and towns in order to strengthen regional plans. provide a Safe Routes to Schools Regional Expert to provide support to schools. provide public health data and information to inform planning. provide education about why sidewalks and healthy foods options in local markets are important. connect you with useful resources and provide examples of similar work done in other communities to help you on your way. look for funds to help town officials and organizations support health-promoting efforts. Local Highlights Healthy Foods The Lamoille Valley Nutritionist Collaborative has joined efforts to improve access to healthy foods through a variety of initiatives. All started with a local food system asset. The Nutritionist Collaborative partners with Copley Hospital, the University of Vermont Extension, Salvation Farms and Hunger Free Vermont to offer hunger screening, service referrals, regular nutrition education, gleaning opportunities and community garden support. Physical Activity We collaborate with local communities to promote healthy behaviors in our local parks. Morristown's Oxbow Park is an example of how municipal parks are valuable spaces for families and communities to be active throughout the seasons. Physical activity is enhanced when the environment is smoke and vape-free. In 2018 Healthy Lamoille Valley and the Health Department collaborated with Morristown to design a no-tobacco/no-vaping sign and policy for the park. Safe Routes to School Cambridge Elementary School created a travel plan that they will help make their town a safer community for those who want to walk and bike to school. This process began with a walkability study that included support from various state associations. The school brought awareness to the community by participating in the International Walk to School Day . The school will maintain community awareness by participating in Walk-to School events. If you are interested in Safe Routes to School, contact Lamoille Valley regional expert, Rob Moore 802-851-6347 or [email protected] Health in all Policies In 2019 the Hyde Park Selectboard approved a Healthy Community Policy and has signed a 3-4-50 commitment letter with the Health Department, healthy community partner. By signing on as a 3-4-50 Partner, Hyde Park officials agrees to do what they can to create and sustain a healthy environment. One example is at the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail trailhead in Hyde Park, where you will see a healthy community sign encouraging users of the rail trail to keep it safe, clean and tobacco and vape free. You will also find historical reference signs that make using the trail even more interesting. 3-4-50 Prevent Chronic Disease What does 3-4-50 mean? 3 behaviors – lack of physical activity, poor diet, and tobacco use – lead to 4 chronic diseases – cancer, heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, and lung disease – that are the cause of more than 50 percent of all deaths in Vermont This understanding inspires us to take action. Communities that are built to support physical activity, safe walking and biking, use of public transportation, and easy access to fresh foods are essential for good health. See how Vermont Cities & Towns support health Related Resources Planning for Prevention Primer Active Living and Healthy Eating - Vermont Healthy Community Design Resource Lamoille County Planning Commission – Healthy Community Design Regional Food System Plan for the Northeast Kingdom VT Highway Safety Report 3-4-50: Prevent Chronic Disease Complete Streets: Guide for Vermont Communities - to assist towns with examples Environmental Health in Vermont Physical Activity & Nutrition in Vermont Communities CounterBalance - a campaign directed towards the tobacco industry’s influence on youth Trail Finder VT State Parks Hunger Free Vermont Healthier Living Workshops Valerie, Public Health Nurse 802-888-1351 [email protected] February 28, 2025