Community Success Stories: Implementing Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes

CDC's Healthy Communities Program has a successful history of investing in communities' health and quality of life by supporting policy strategies for creating sustainable systems and environments. Through the Healthy Communities Program, coalitions educate policy makers on the importance of public health initiatives that prevent chronic disease. These success stories illustrate the exemplary work communities undertake.

Nutrition

• Montgomery County, Alabama created nine community gardens in rural area parks and schools to increase access to fruits and vegetables for children and seniors.
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania improved the access to fresh fruits and vegetables to under-resourced communities by offering them at YMCA after-school programs.
• Salinas-Monterey County, California adopted a healthy foods policy for county facilities' vending machines to ensure healthier food options are available.
• Santa Clara County, California was the first in the country to pass an ordinance that prohibits restaurants from using toys and other incentives for kids' meals that are high in fat, sugar, and calories.

Physical Activity

• Davenport, Iowa encouraged community members to increase physical activity by repaving and widening a 9-mile bike trail and adding mileage signs.
• Duluth, Minnesota passed the state's Complete Streets policy, that increases the usability of all streets for all modes of travel, for all ages and abilities.
• Portland, Oregon adopted a comprehensive school wellness policy that that focuses on preventing obesity-related diseases by requiring 60 minutes of daily physical activity and serving unlimited fruits and vegetables during lunch.
• Stark County, Ohio mapped inside and outside walking routes at more than 70 work places to encourage physical activity.

Tobacco

• Middleton, New York passed an anti-smoking resolution that prohibits people from smoking at all playgrounds and pools with repeat offenders having penalties of fines and jail terms.
• Sault Sainte Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan became the first tribe in Michigan to develop and adopt a 24/7 smoke-free policy for designated tribal housing units.
• Savannah, Georgia passed a smoke-free ordinance that bans smoking in bars, private clubs, and public buildings.