Hometown Hikers – Improving Hometown Health

1. Hometown Hikers –Improving Hometown Health Tamara Baker Coordinated School Health Program Coordinator Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services/Division of Health

2. Objectives • Bring awareness of a rural walking program, Hometown Hikers • Identify the benefit of a grassroots program • Identify the link with school and community

3. Hometown Health Improvement Project • The Pike County Hometown Health Improvement Coalition – Interested parties (Health Dept., Extension, DHS, schools, Development Council, etc.) • Vision Statement - “To assist the community in recognizing and meeting its needs by promoting health and healthy lifestyles for all community members.”

4. Why Walk? • Time and again, Arkansas ranks as one of the unhealthiest states in the nation. • Adult behavioral risk factors survey showed that about 57% of the Pike County population is overweight, compared to about 32-33% of the U.S. and the rest of Arkansas populations. 85% do NOT participate in regular or sustained physical activity.

5. Take a Hike! • Studies have shown that walking with others and engaging in a program long enough to make walking a habit promote success. • The Pike County Extension Service and the Pike County Health Unit teamed up to bring Hometown Hikers to Pike County. • This eight week physical activity program is designed to reduce barriers to physical and behavioral health of rural women.

6. The Program • Began in June 2001 and ran for eight weeks (Yes, the hot & humid dog days of an Arkansas summer!!) • Jump Start June, July, and the Rest of Your Life! 1st meeting - Data collected. • Participants explored local hiking trails each week and participated in group discussions on healthy lifestyle issues.

7. Short Lessons . . . • Short educational lessons were conducted on topics such as: • Nutrition & fitness • Preparing quick & healthy meals • The importance of hydration • Proper hiking techniques • Food guide pyramid / Dietary guidelines

8. . . . Long Walks • Long walks: • State park trails • Corps of engineers trails • City parks • Neighborhoods • Talk-while-you-walk: • Great time to discuss lessons & lifestyles!

9. Hikers (participants). . . • Set goals • Kept track of their mileage • Reported successes & struggles • Promoted program • Hiked many miles!! • Learned new behaviors and lifestyles

10. Total Miles Walked • Hikers walked 713.1 miles (total) • Winning hiker walked 176.1 miles • Participants included a county official, health department administrator, school workers, health department nurse, caretakers, etc.

11. The Next Challenge • This spring, the program began “The Next Challenge” • Teams made up of school youth, teachers, parents, and other local residents are participating • Expanded to other counties

12. 2002-2006 • Annual tobacco-free activity • Diverse implementations • Adults & children • On campus vs. off campus • Community partners

13. Community and School Link • Murfreesboro and Gurdon invited family members to participate • Gurdon identified need for walking trail improvements

15. Accolades • 2002 Rural Women’s Health Conference • 2003 Public Health Hero Award • 2004 Steps to a HealthierUS • Chronic Disease Prevention Database/CDC

16. Benefit of Homegrown Effort • Community trust • Local perspective • Hidden resources • Human story/connectedness

17. Limitations • No real evaluation data • Needs a full time cheerleader • Sustainability

18. Conclusion • Hometown Hikers is a small, rural, education based walking program with a big dream….A healthier Arkansas

19. For More Information: Contact: Tamara Baker, RN, MPH Coordinated School Health Program Coordinator DHHS/DOH Tamara.Baker@arkansas.gov