In March 2010, the Multnomah County Health Department was awarded a $7.5 million health prevention grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. On January 20, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners will launch the Health Department’s “A Healthy Active Multnomah County: It Starts Here” campaign at its board meeting with the presentation of a resolution.
Over half of adults living in Multnomah County are at risk for chronic health conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis and stroke due to being overweight or obese. Even children are facing diseases related to physical inactivity, obesity and overweight conditions more than ever before. Because of health problems caused by obesity, today’s children are expected to have shorter lives than their parents’ generation.
In Oregon, health care costs caused by conditions linked to obesity total nearly $800 million, with accompanying loss of productivity costs. All population groups are experiencing increased rates of obesity, but rates remain highest among groups like Latinos, African Americans, and American Indian/Alaska Natives.
The kick-off of the “A Healthy Active Multnomah County: It Starts Here” campaign will begin a series of community education efforts, as well as the preparation of worksite wellness recommendations for Multnomah County employees. Community-wide health promotion campaigns have been found to positively affect health practices when executed in conjunction with policy efforts and local public health initiatives.
The education component will promote healthy eating and physical activity in the community, as well as provide information regarding local options for healthy choices. Worksite wellness recommendations, like physical activities available during the workday and healthy eating guidelines for county events, will be submitted for the Board’s consideration later this year.
Watch a video featuring some of the Health Department’s grant partners talking about “A Healthy Active Multnomah County.”