Strategic Focus: Healthy Lifestyles

Background

Lifestyle factors -- more physical activity and healthier eating -- were among the top health concerns of all groups that contributed to the Health Fund's strategic planning process. Poor lifestyle choices -- physical inactivity, overeating, and tobacco use -- are at the root of about a third of all deaths in Kansas and the U.S.

Recognizing the fundamental importance of physical activity and healthy eating to any efforts to improve health and prevent disease and disability, our trustees chose to focus on two environments -- Kansas United Methodist churches and Kansas child care programs.

In deciding to emphasize these two areas, trustees were not minimizing the need for resources to make changes in schools, workplaces, and other venues, but rather targeting areas where they believe the Health Fund can make the most difference with its resources.

2007-2009 Goal:

Support Kansans in increasing physical activity and making healthy food choices through the engagement of organizations that serve targeted populations

Objectives

• Achieve greater effectiveness of the Health Fund's support for Kansas United Methodist churches engaged in health ministry through Healthy Congregations in Action and Self-care workshops
• Improve the capacity of Kansas United Methodist churches to engage in health ministry
• Improve the physical activity levels and healthy food choices of young children participating in child care, their families, and their child care providers.
• Attract and support innovative ideas to improve Kansans' physical activity and food choices