By Katie Knapp Schubert
Omaha, NE – Live Well Omaha hopes policy and environmental changes will lead to a healthier Douglas County.
The organization launched its "Putting Prevention to Work" campaign Monday. Mary Balluff oversees health and nutrition services for the Douglas County Health Department. She says Live Well Omaha hopes to get businesses and churches involved in the wellness campaign.
"For example, a church might say that any time they have a shared meal together they'll always be at least one healthy choice at that gathering. Or it might be that a business will encourage people to be physically active by doing walking meetings or putting bike racks outside their facilities," Balluff says.
A 2007 report shows Omaha ranks 142nd out of 182 cities nationwide for risk factors including obesity, smoking, and nutrition. The CDC recommends that kids up to age 17 get an hour of exercise a day. For adults, the recommendation is 150 minutes of exercise a week.
Balluff says the Live Well Omaha campaign also encourages school gardens and farm-to-school programs.