Introducing Trailnet's Healthy & Active Communities Initiative

Trailnet is thrilled to announce the kick-off of our Healthy and Active Communities Initiative! This exciting new initiative, works to combat the obesity epidemic through policy.

Obesity rates have skyrocketed in Missouri in the last 20 years. In 1990, 11.9% of Missouri adults were obese; today, over 25% of Missouri adults are obese. As a result, rates of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and respiratory disease have sharply increased, resulting in lower quality of life for Missourians and enormous medical costs to individuals and governments. Sadly, due to these factors our current generation of children is the first generation that is not expected to live as long as their parents.

Trailnet’s Healthy and Active Communities Initiative focuses at the policy-level to produce the farthest-reaching and longest-term solutions to the obesity epidemic. Through partnerships and collaborations, we are working with organizations and institutions throughout the St. Louis region to develop and implement policies promoting Active Living and Healthy Nutrition in four low-income communities most vulnerable to developing obesity. We will work with community leaders and stakeholders to improve access to healthy foods, to develop zoning codes that create walkable / bikeable communities, and to encourage physical activity as a part of daily routines.

We are excited to be working with the following partner organizations on this initiative:
-Grace Hill Settlement House, www.gracehill.org
-The St. Louis County Dept of Health, www.co.st-louis.mo.us/doh
-The St. Louis Regional Bicycle Federation, www.stlbikefed.org
-The US Green Building Council, chapters.usgbc.org/stlouis
-Whittaker Homes, www.whittakerhomes.com

This exciting initiative builds on Trailnet’s work in community planning, active programming, education, and advocacy. In the months and years ahead, we will develop and implement broad sets of policies that systematically combat obesity by creating communities of support that promote active living, healthy school lunch programs, well-maintained public spaces, and safe streets. Funding for this project was provided in part by The Missouri Foundation for Health. The Missouri Foundation for Health is a philanthropic organization whose vision is to improve the health of the people in the communities it serves. Thanks to Matthew Diller for use of the photo from New Roots Urban Farm.