Healthier Fosston Named 2015 Public Health Champion

Healthier Fosston: 2015 Public Health Champion

National Public Health Week (NPHW) will be observed this year between April 6 and April 12. In an April 1 press release, Polk County Public Health acknowledged several 2015 Public Health Champions including Healthier Fosston.

Healthier Fosston is a Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) community partner that has been following the SHIP model, working to make healthy choices easier where we live, work, play, and seek health care. Collaborative community partners from government, business, healthcare, and the general public are coming together around a common goal; to change culture and systems, making healthy choices easier.

Monthly Healthier Fosston meetings include vibrant discussion around population health, as well as  the important role individual partners play in supporting healthier outcomes within the community. Whether it is serving fruit at a meeting, supporting the multipurpose Fosston Inspirational Trail, or the implementation of a sugar sweetened beverage policy at Essentia Health, Healthier Fosston is working to support and sustain the health of the community. 

The commitment to health within the community comes as no surprise. The City of Fosston has been progressive in its approach to quality of place, including making the community a healthy place to live. One of Fosston's many awards and designations was a designation from Governor Pawlenty as one of the state's first "Fit Cities." 

Since that time, the city has supported several "FIT City Challenges," constructed the FIT Trail, hosts an annual inter-generational health fair, and numerous other initiatives. 

Many individuals in the community have been inspirational along the way. I fondly remember Lois Dokken (now passed away) who swam laps every morning at the Civic Center, well into her nineties. I love to see the many walkers we have in our community, striding down the sidewalks and pumping their arms. I'm also inspired by the many senior citizens, especially those in the assisted living facilities, who participate in the FIT City Challenge each year.

What a great community to be part of!

Who has inspired you to live a healthier life? Share your stories in the comments of this blog!