Our Focus

Our focus is on supporting policy, systems and environmental changes in Meeker, McLeod and Sibley Counties that create increased opportunities for people to be physically active, increased access to nutritious foods, and decreased tobacco use.

We work with the following sectors to help meet these goals:

Click here for a complete listing of Meeker-McLeod-Sibley’s SHIP Interventions

What are policy, systems, environmental changes?

Communities can improve their health through sustainable, innovative, and evidence-based health promotion and chronic disease prevention interventions that encourage policy, systems and environmental changes, to make healthy choices acceptable, easy, and supported. “It is unreasonable to expect large proportions of the population to make individual behavior changes that are discouraged by the environment and existing social norms”. (Schmid, Pratt and Howze, 1995) Research has shown that behavior change is more likely to endure when both the individual and the environment undergo change simultaneously (Lasater et al., 1984; Abrams 1991). Communities that implement policies and create environments that incorporate these characteristics are healthier and more satisfying places to live, work, learn, pray, and play.

Examples of Healthy Community Policy and Environmental Changes

Education and Awareness

Change zoning and land use requirements to mandate sidewalks, trails, safe pedestrian and bicycle access to schools, shopping, parks, and recreation centers
Work with / engage community planners to design walkable and bikeable communities
Partner with parks and recreation, child care (in home or centers), and after school time groups to promote Fruits & Veggies—More Matters in their programs
Implement a healthy meeting policy and offer healthy food alternatives for group meals, meetings, company functions, potlucks and celebrations
Display key messages on a community sign, display board, local newspaper or media
Promote governmental and nongovernmental organization policies that promote physical activity and healthy eating (e.g., at worksites, places of worship, at meetings, in health insurance coverage)

Physical Activity

Promote added lighting, safety, and signage to walking/biking trails and parks
Encourage use of walking tool kits among community groups
Encourage schools to promote and participate in Safe Routes to School programs
Encourage schools to participate in SD Schools Walk Program
Encourage schools to keep facilities open before/after school hours for public use
Offer after-school activity programs that are accessible and affordable for all students
Implement competitions or challenges in a community that focuses on wellness activities such as physical activity /walking challenges and eating more Fruits &Vegetables

Nutrition and Healthy Eating

Offer and identify healthy meal options at local restaurants
Discourage sale of “foods with minimal nutritional value” in public venues
Establish a community garden or farmers’ market
Collaborate with stores to offer locally grown fruits & vegetables
Work with local restaurants to identify, offer, and promote healthy food options
Promote guidelines and offer and identify healthy food choices in vending machines, snack bars, and/or cafeterias at schools, institutions, and workplaces
Promote policy to offer healthy concessions at sporting events
Promote a “Healthy Dinner Club” among a community group or organization

Tobacco