Physical Activity

Building Healthy Communities

The Building Healthy Communities Program began in 2005 as a way to impact population health through policy, environmental, and system changes.  The goal of the program is to reduce chronic diseases by increasing physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco-free environments.  HP/DP staff partner with community coalitions to make it easier for residents to be active daily for recreation and transportation.  Local projects have included installing bike racks, building new trails, improving parks, and by passing non-motorized plans and other supportive policies.  BHC is funded by the Michigan Department of Community Health and local partners.  For more information, contact Lily Guzman at guzmanL@ewashtenaw.org or (734) 544-2983.

Complete Streets

"Complete Streets" are streets designed with pedestrians, bicyclists, and persons with disabilities in mind -- they enable safe transportation and physical activity for people of all ages.  Creating Complete Streets means transportation agencies must change their approach to planning community roads through policy change.  HP/DP staff have provided technical assistance and grant funding to communities in Washtenaw County such as Saline, Ypsilanti, Pittsfield Township, and the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study.  This project is funded through Michigan Department of Community Health through a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  For more information, contact Lily Guzman at guzmanL@ewashtenaw.org or (734) 544-2983.

Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School is a federal program to make it safe, convenient and fun for children to walk and bike to school.  In addition to the physical activity benefits for children, SRTS initiatives help ease traffic jams and air pollution, unite neighborhoods and contribute to students' readiness to learn in school.

Over the past several years staff has worked with over 12 schools across the county.  Several of these schools have improved roads and sidewalks and/or started programs to encourage walking and biking; notably, one school was awarded a federal grant of $160,000 for several critical engineering improvements and school programs.  For more information, contact Lily Guzman at guzmanL@ewashtenaw.org or (734) 544-2983.

For additional information on physical activity, visit the following websites:

Healthy Communities state initiatives at www.mihealthtools.org/mihc.

Michigan Complete Streets Coalition at http://www.micompletestreet.org

Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition at www.wbwc.org

Health Improvement Plan presentations/reports on health related topics in Washtenaw County.

Schools health promotion activities in Washtenaw County.