(Chelsea Update would like to thank Amy Heydlauff for this column.)
Have you been following Michael Bloomberg’s efforts to make sales of large, sugary drinks illegal in the city of New York?
It’s a classic battle. And there are good reasons why it’s waged in the public (community) health arena.
Arguments against Mayor Bloomberg’s efforts cite freedom to choose, individual liberty and constitutional protection. They are solidly rooted in judicial decisions as far back as our nation’s founding, and for good reasons.
At the same time the connection between increased lifespan and community health efforts is well-established. The often cited examples are dramatic reduction in infection because of immunizations, cleaner water and sanitation. Seat belt laws and other auto safety regulations have also reduced death and injury substantially. The arguments are also solid.
These positions force people interested in health – their own and the populations, to do some real thinking about what can change the unhealthy trajectory of our communities, families and self. The answer to this question matters because, of course, very few will honestly say they want to be unhealthy and wish poor health for our children.
The Chelsea-Area Wellness Foundation (CWF) gave a lot of thought to the question: what will make a difference? We not only relied on local and national experts, we listened to our instincts and the common sense of the people around the table. It won’t surprise you to know our answer turned out to be layered, multi-dimensional and challenging.
We don’t believe laws versus freedom of choice will solve our problem.
When we asked ourselves what a healthy community looks like, we couldn’t really describe it. But, as they say, we all agreed we know it when we see it. We see some of it in all five of our communities in pockets and in different guises. Wherever we see it, we ask why it exists. The answer, again, is multiple.
Sometimes healthy community exists because of individual or group behaviors. In Dexter, the teachers work out together after school. As their ranks grow the culture changes, more teachers join them or find another way to exercise and kids and their parents see the teacher’s behavior. It influences them, too. This is the impact of behavior.
Sometimes healthy community exists because of an encouraging system. Systems are interdependent people, organizations or processes working together to create a single end. The Manchester Wellness Center (MWC) is a great example of a system. Manchester Community Schools, Manchester community volunteers and CWF are interdependent in their efforts to provide Manchester with the MWC. In fact, the four wellness centers themselves are a system (Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester and Stockbridge).
A third way to impact community and personal wellness is through policy. Policies are formal decisions. Grass Lake Community School’s curriculum has been revised to include an elementary fitness program that focuses on active living. It is well established that kids who are physically active learn better so the school’s desire to teach is well-served by policy that supports healthy living, too. Ordinances to connect sidewalks throughout a community are also policies to change the community.
The resulting connected sidewalks are a forth way to impact health through infrastructure, or environmental design. Sidewalks, bridges and high-schools with community exercise space are all examples of local infrastructure. In Stockbridge, the Lakeland trail’s new multi-use, hard surface section is a great example of infrastructure making it easier for people to be active.
While the nation divides itself over Mayor Bloomberg’s policy attempts, five healthy towns in Southeast Michigan are harnessing comprehensive strategies. The board of directors of CWF believes success is highly likely with your broad-ranging interventions and community cohesion. We may be located in the ‘fly-over’ portion of the nation, but if New York looks down while they’re flying over, we think they could learn something.
Nice job Amy. Thank you for all your efforts and insight!