Engaging in regular physical activity is essential for improving or maintaining good health at any age. It reduces the risk of chronic diseases, supports mental well-being, and promotes healthy aging. However, despite these benefits, many people fall short of recommended activity guidelines.

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To help address this, our REACH program looks at how communities are designed and supports changes to make them more activity-friendly so it's easier and safer for people to include physical activity into their daily lives and enjoy destinations that their community has to offer.​​​​​

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We’ve worked with partners such as local city and village officials, downtown development authorities, and school districts to complete activities that address better connecting people to places in their communities. These activities included:​ 

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• Conducting a community-wide assessment

• Creating an action plan based on assessment findings

• Collaborating with partners and community residents to collect pre-demonstration pedestrian and vehicular data

• Implementing a demonstration project

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​These efforts have set the foundation for healthier communities in our counties and will continue to evolve as we build on our successes and address new challenges. Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward in our mission to create active, vibrant communities.