Staying Healthy

A lot of factors play a role in staying healthy. Having good health can decrease your risk of developing certain conditions. These include heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and injuries. Learn what you can do to maintain your and your family’s health.  

Nutrition

Eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose a diet that's low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and moderate in sugar, salt and total fat. 

Many people  living in underserved neighborhoods have limited access to nutritious food.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.[2]  For more information on nutrition assistance, FAQ or to find out if you might be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program click on (SNAP).

Physical Activity

Physical activity or exercise can improve your health and reduce the risk of developing several diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. Physical activity and exercise can have immediate and long-term health benefits. Most importantly, regular activity can improve your quality of life.

Being active outdoors is an inexpensive and great way to get youth, adults and families to have fun together. Along with supporting physical wellness, nature also bolsters mental wellness. Studies have show that being outside in nature is relaxing, reducing our stress, cortisol levels, muscle tension and heart rates – all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.  

For some local resources on trails, pathways, parks and greenways visit the links below.

Building Resilient Inclusive Communities (BRIC)

Overview

Though challenges surfaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so have potential opportunities to support states in addressing health risk factors and increasing overall community resiliency for chronic disease prevention. In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) and the Division of Population Health (DPH), and a team of nationally recognized experts, NACDD is working with 20 State Health Departments and other organizations to implement the Building Resilient Inclusive Communities (BRIC) program. 

Project Goals

The Washington State Department of Health has engaged the Yakima Health District to focus on increasing safe physical activity access in high need areas in Yakima County.  

Physical Activity

  • Enhance fair access to safe places for physical activity and travel through community engagement and plan development
  • Collaborate with coalitions that support safe, equitable physical activity
  • Support a local improvement plan that includes community design assessment to improve safe and equitable access to physical activity

Funding Purpose

The purpose of the Building Resilient Inclusive Communities Funding opportunity is to identify organizations in Yakima County that will successfully implement local level physical activity interventions, focused on policies, systems, and environmental changes that support safe and accessible physical activity, and social connectedness, using an equity approach.   Below is a list of examples of what BRIC funding can be used to support:

  • Wayfinding signage
  • Paint, chalk, and stencils for crosswalks and temporary road markings; paint rollers/brushes
  • Art Projects such as art at crosswalks and painting of street intersections and speed tables
  • "Yield to Pedestrian" crosswalk signs, portable sign stands, supportive light flashers
  • Portable speed bumps, rubber curbs, traffic cones, reflective tape, bike lane striping
  • Delineator posts and traffic-calming items, streetscape items (e.g., planters, beautification, painting on buildings, awnings added to a streetscape, pocket parks)
  • Bike rack, bike fix-it station
  • Multi-use path materials (e.g., maps, benches, kiosks, mulch, sand, shared road signs, removable solar lighting, pet waste disposal stations)
  • Contracting with planning/engineering to help with official policy/plan development and guidance 

Click here for a list of allowable and nonallowable items.

If your organization is interested in applying for BRIC funds please reach out to Jessica.vandoren@co.yakima.wa.us for additional information.